clitoris

noun

cli·to·ris | \ ˈkli-tə-rəs

, kli-ˈtȯr-əs

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

Definition of clitoris

: a female erogenous organ that consists of an externally visible, highly innervated small conical structure or glans that lies at the anterior junction of the labia minora above the urethral opening and is continuous internally with a short body of paired cylinders of vascular, erectile tissue which branch into curved extensions or crura attaching to the undersurface of the pubic bones and with two elongated masses of erectile tissue situated near each side of the vaginal and urethral openings

Note: The clitoris develops from the same embryonic mass of tissue as the penis.

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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.

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The first known use of clitoris was in 1615

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More Definitions for clitoris

clitoris

noun

English Language Learners Definition of clitoris

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

See the full definition for clitoris in the English Language Learners Dictionary

clitoris

noun

cli·to·ris | \ ˈklit-ə-rəs

, kli-ˈtȯr-əs

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

Medical Definition of clitoris

: a female erogenous organ that consists of an externally visible, highly innervated small conical structure or glans that lies at the anterior junction of the labia minora above the urethral opening and is continuous internally with a short body of paired cylinders of vascular, erectile corpus cavernosum tissue which branch into curved extensions or crura attaching to the pubic arch and with two elongated masses of erectile tissue (the bulb of the vestibule) situated near each side of the vaginal and urethral openings

Note: The clitoris develops from the same embryonic mass of tissue as the penis.

Other Words from clitoris

clitoral \ ˈklit-ə-rəl

\ also clitoric \ kli-ˈtȯr-ik, -ˈtär-

\ adjective

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