clitoris

noun cli·to·ris \ ˈkli-tə-rəs , kli-ˈtȯr-əs \

Definition of clitoris

plural clitorises also clitorides play \kli-ˈtȯr-ə-ˌdēz\

: a small erectile female organ located within the anterior junction of the labia minora that develops from the same embryonic mass of tissue as the penis and is responsive to sexual stimulation

—

clitoral

play \ˈkli-tə-rəl\ or less commonly clitoric play \kli-ˈtȯr-ik, -ˈtär-\ adjective

See clitoris defined for English-language learners

See clitoris defined for kids

Recent Examples of clitoris from the Web

In the Michigan case, the victims belong to an Indian Shiite Muslim sect called the Dawoodi Bohra, whose members refer to the clitoris as a sinful lump of flesh.

— kristina arriaga, WSJ, "Cutting Young Girls Isn’t Religious Freedom," 24 Aug. 2017
The vulva, the video states using diagrams (and cute cats), includes the outer labia, inner labia, clitoris, urethral opening, and vaginal opening.

— lily herman, Allure, "Your Vulva Is Not Your Vagina — Here's the Difference," 5 Oct. 2017
Some women won’t be able to tolerate clitoral stimulation, especially if their pain is linked to the pudendal nerve, which can affect sensations in the clitoris, mons pubs, vulva, vagina, and labia, according to Howard and Akincilar-Rummer.

— breena kerr, SELF, "How to Rethink Intimacy When 'Regular' Sex Hurts," 8 Sep. 2017
Suddenly, while two women in the clinic held her hands, the physician spread her legs and cut her clitoris.

— kristina arriaga, WSJ, "Cutting Young Girls Isn’t Religious Freedom," 24 Aug. 2017
Girls with this condition sometimes undergo reconstructive surgery, often to reduce the size of the clitoris.

— Washington Post, "Pressure mounts to curtail surgery on intersex children," 25 July 2017
OK! But also about fellatio, sodomy, the clitoris with or without G-spot etc.

— madeleine aggeler, The Cut, "French Doctors Reportedly Suggested Faulty Pelvic-Mesh-Implant Victims Try Anal Sex," 28 Aug. 2017
In fact, nipple stimulation actually derives pleasure from the same parts of your brain as your clitoris!

— emily morse, Glamour, "6 Mind-Blowing Toys for Nipple Play," 13 Aug. 2017
Like your vulva, clitoris, labia, vagina, breasts, or anus. 2.

— hannah orenstein, Seventeen, "15 Things Every Girl Needs to Know About Masturbation," 3 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'clitoris.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of clitoris

New Latin, from Greek kleitoris

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1615

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

CLITORIS Defined for English Language Learners

clitoris

noun

Definition of clitoris for English Language Learners

: a female sexual organ that is small, sensitive, and located on the outside of the body in front of the opening of the vagina

Medical Dictionary

clitoris

noun cli·to·ris \ ˈklit-ə-rəs , kli-ˈtȯr-əs \

medical Definition of clitoris

plural clitorises also clitorides play \kli-ˈtȯr-ə-ˌdēz\

: a small erectile female organ located within the anterior junction of the labia minora that develops from the same embryonic mass of tissue as the penis and is responsive to sexual stimulation

—

clitoral

play \ˈklit-ə-rəl\ also clitoric play \kli-ˈtȯr-ik, -ˈtär-\ adjective

Illustration of clitoris

Learn More about clitoris

See words that rhyme with clitoris Spanish Central: Translation of clitoris Nglish: Translation of clitoris for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of clitoris for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about clitoris

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clitoris

Definition of clitoris

clitoral

Recent Examples of clitoris from the Web

Origin and Etymology of clitoris

Other Anatomy Terms

CLITORIS Defined for English Language Learners

clitoris

Definition of clitoris for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

clitoris

medical Definition of clitoris

clitoral

Illustration of clitoris

Learn More about clitoris

Seen and Heard

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clitoris

Definition of clitoris

clitoral

Recent Examples of clitoris from the Web

Origin and Etymology of clitoris

Other Anatomy Terms

CLITORIS Defined for English Language Learners

clitoris

Definition of clitoris for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

clitoris

medical Definition of clitoris

clitoral

Illustration of clitoris

Learn More about clitoris

Seen and Heard

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Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

‘Sleight’ or ‘Slight’ of Hand?

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