intercourse

noun

in·ter·course ˈin-tər-ˌkȯrs

Synonyms of intercourse next

: physical sexual contact between individuals that involves the genitalia of at least one person

anal intercourse

oral intercourse

especially : sexual intercourse sense 1

heterosexual intercourse

: exchange especially of thoughts or feelings : communion

: connection or dealings between persons or groups

Examples of intercourse in a Sentence

the unspoken rules of social intercourse

Recent Examples on the Web Dubé is worried most of all about the psychological effects of intercourse (or a lack thereof) in space. —

Kim Tingley, New York Times, 12 Nov. 2023 Continue communicating and checking in with your partner during intercourse to create a pleasurable experience. —

Dominique Fluker, Essence, 21 Sep. 2023 To reduce the risk of spreading or exposure to an STI while pregnant, the CDC also recommends the use of latex condoms during intercourse. —

Parents Editors, Parents, 16 Sep. 2023 This spring, Uganda passed legislation that made homosexual intercourse punishable by life in prison. —

Jennifer Lotito, Forbes, 17 July 2023 Male masturbation without ejaculation among primates may be advantageous in reducing the duration of intercourse (and thus the risk of interruption by a competing male); with ejaculation, the advantage may be in clearing pathogens from the urethra following intercourse. —

Lawrence Jackson, Harper's Magazine, 10 July 2023 Some of the intercourse simulators on this guide are paired with content libraries that sync up with mechanical motions performed by the toys. —

Zee Krstic, Good Housekeeping, 10 July 2023 Pugh stops during intercourse and picks up a copy of the Bhagavad Gita, one of Hinduism’s holiest scriptures, and asks Murphy to read from it. —

Rhea Mogul, CNN, 24 July 2023 Second, the foreskin often suffers small tears during intercourse, allowing HIV cells to enter the bloodstream. —

Jenni Singer, Parents, 19 July 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intercourse.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English intercurse, probably from Middle French entrecours, from Medieval Latin intercursus, from Latin, act of running between, from intercurrere to run between, from inter- + currere to run — more at car

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler

The first known use of intercourse was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century