Definition of libido
libidos
1 : instinctual psychic energy that in psychoanalytic theory is derived from primitive biological urges (as for sexual pleasure or self-preservation) and that is expressed in conscious activity
2 : sexual drive The drug was used to increase libido.
From the M-W Editors
Examples of libido in a Sentence
Lack of libido may be a sign of depression.
Recent Examples of libido from the Web
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Freud’s original theory, after all, rested on an account of great psychical torsions set in motion by the libido.
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Then there are the rest of us, who moan in the night when a president with Clinton’s libido and Bush’s brain invades our dreams.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'libido'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
The Latin word libido, meaning "desire, lust", was borrowed by Sigmund Freud as the name for a concept in his own theories. At first he defined libido to mean the instinctual energy associated with the sex drive. Later he broadened the word's meaning and began using it to mean the mental energy behind purposeful human activity of any kind; in other words, the libido (for which Freud also used the term eros, a Greek word meaning "sexual love") came to be regarded as the life instinct, which included sex along with all the other impulses we rely on to keep us alive. But those of us who aren't psychologists use the word simply as a synonym for "sex drive".
Origin and Etymology of libido
New Latin libidin-, libido, from Latin, desire, lust, from libēre to please — more at love
First Known Use: 1909
Other Psychology Terms
LIBIDO Defined for English Language Learners
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of libido
libidos
1: instinctual psychic energy that in psychoanalytic theory is derived from primitive biological urges (as for sexual pleasure or self-preservation) and that is expressed in conscious activity
2: sexual drive
Learn More about libido
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See words that rhyme with libido Spanish Central: Translation of libido Nglish: Translation of libido for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about libido
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