intercourse

noun

in·​ter·​course ˈin-tər-ˌkȯrs How to pronounce intercourse (audio)
1
: 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
2
: exchange especially of thoughts or feelings : communion
3
: connection or dealings between persons or groups

Examples of intercourse in a Sentence

the unspoken rules of social intercourse
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Until recently, most insurance companies followed the American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s definition for fertility, which defined infertility as a condition in which heterosexual couples couldn’t conceive after a year of unprotected intercourse. Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 4 June 2025 The pair always took Ecstasy or MDMA beforehand, Ventura alleged, and Combs would direct Ventura and the male escort to perform erotic acts leading up to intercourse. Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 18 May 2025 Watching each other can be wildly erotic and can speed up your arousal without the pressure of rushing to intercourse. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 8 May 2025 Lennon, angry about Richard Nixon’s re-election and under the influence, began canoodling with a female guest and went off into the next room to engage in noisy intercourse. Kim Willis, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for intercourse

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

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Cite this Entry

“Intercourse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intercourse. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

intercourse

noun
in·​ter·​course ˈint-ər-ˌkō(ə)rs How to pronounce intercourse (audio)
-ˌkȯ(ə)rs
1
: dealings between persons or groups : relations
2
: physical sexual contact between individuals that involves the genitalia of at least one individual
especially : sexual intercourse

Medical Definition

intercourse

noun
1
: connection or dealings between persons or groups
2
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on intercourse

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