foreplay

noun

fore·​play ˈfȯr-ˌplā How to pronounce foreplay (audio)
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
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Cue the lively, passionate debate, which might even border on outright head-butting as foreplay. Maressa Brown, InStyle, 15 Feb. 2026 The act of choosing together is foreplay. Alysia Reiner, Flow Space, 13 Feb. 2026 But where Destiny’s Child depicted small acts of service as intimate foreplay, Mai drops the come-ons and finds pleasure in the favors themselves. Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 11 Feb. 2026 Ought this scene to be read as foreplay or foreboding? Peter Debruge, Variety, 9 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for foreplay

Word History

First Known Use

1929, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of foreplay was in 1929

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Cite this Entry

“Foreplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foreplay. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.

Medical Definition

foreplay

noun
fore·​play -ˌplā How to pronounce foreplay (audio)
: erotic stimulation preceding sexual intercourse

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