foreplay

noun

fore·play | \ˈfȯr-ˌplā

\

Definition of foreplay

1 : erotic stimulation preceding sexual intercourse

2 : action or behavior that precedes an event

Examples of foreplay in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to clinical sexologist and host of 'Sexplantions,' Lindsey Doe, women need about 18 to 20 minutes of foreplay to become fully aroused, more than the average male-bodied person. — Gigi Engle, Marie Claire, "Why Can't I Have an Orgasm?," 28 May 2018 The film begins with Wade and girlfriend Vanessa (Morena Baccarin) living blissfully, plotting to start a family and watching Barbra Streisand's 1983 movie musical Yentl as ... foreplay? — Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, "'Deadpool 2': Ryan Reynolds on wooing Celine Dion, poking fun at 'Frozen'," 16 May 2018 Coates combines the couple’s flirtation at the bar, their foreplay in the hotel room, and their lovemaking into one big, symphonic sequence, while never fading out on their initial conversation. — David Sims, The Atlantic, "Remembering the Cinematic Magic of Anne V. Coates," 10 May 2018 Again, start by thinking of sexting as a bit of virtual foreplay to the in-person fun. — NBC News, "How to use sexting to improve your marriage," 21 Apr. 2018 And most pressing: Seriously, what kind of person uses Shark Week for foreplay? — Michael Andor Brodeur, BostonGlobe.com, "Stormy Daniels’s pupils and a Beyoncé biter? It’s a thing.," 27 Mar. 2018 TextColorWhiteTransparencyOpaqueBackgroundColorBlackTransparencyOpaqueWindowColorBlackTransparencyTransparent Font Size50% Text Edge StyleNone Font FamilyProportional Sans-Serif Facebook is foreplay. — James Sexton, Time, "Divorce Lawyer: Facebook Is a Cheating Machine," 26 Mar. 2018 For many, the pain comes and goes and reasons for this transient pain include inadequate foreplay, breast-feeding (which lowers estrogen), infection and other causes. — Jen Gunter, New York Times, "Sex Hurts. Help!," 31 Jan. 2018 Dedicate more time to the warm up before the main event, and if foreplay isn't the issue, use lube. — Jessica Migala, Health.com, "Can Your Vagina Be Too Tight for You to Enjoy Sex? A Gynecologist Explains," 22 Feb. 2018

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

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17 Sep 2018

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Time Traveler for foreplay

The first known use of foreplay was in 1929

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More Definitions for foreplay

foreplay

noun

English Language Learners Definition of foreplay

: sexual actions (such as kissing and touching) that people do with each other before they have sex

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

foreplay

noun

fore·play | \-ˌplā

\

Medical Definition of foreplay

: erotic stimulation preceding sexual intercourse

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