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
However, the model does not reveal why or how kissing evolved, Brindle said, noting that there are multiple uses, including assessing potential mates, foreplay, bonding, mitigating social tension, and chewing food before giving it to offspring.
—
Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 19 Nov. 2025
After the Hunt knows nothing about foreplay.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 10 Oct. 2025
In one scene, a wrestling match/foreplay ends with Ray lifting a shrieking Colin into the air with his feet.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
Instead of viewing technology as a distraction from intimacy, couples are using it to their advantage; some are experimenting with Bluetooth-enabled toys during video calls, and others are taking foreplay to another level with wearables that discreetly buzz during date night.
—Essence, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foreplay
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 19 Nov. 2025
After the Hunt knows nothing about foreplay.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 10 Oct. 2025
In one scene, a wrestling match/foreplay ends with Ray lifting a shrieking Colin into the air with his feet.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
Instead of viewing technology as a distraction from intimacy, couples are using it to their advantage; some are experimenting with Bluetooth-enabled toys during video calls, and others are taking foreplay to another level with wearables that discreetly buzz during date night.
—Essence, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foreplay
Cite this Entry
“Foreplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foreplay. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
foreplay
noun
fore·play
-ˌplā 
: erotic stimulation preceding sexual intercourse
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share