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.
Explore M-W
Examples of libido in a Sentence
Lack of libido may be a sign of depression.
Recent Examples of libido from the Web
-
A huge question that sixties feminism failed to answer had to do with sex: Could a healthy heterosexual libido be reconciled with good movement politics?
-
Everyone experiences pregnancy differently, and there's nothing abnormal about experiencing either higher or lower libido during it.
-
First, the right workout program will boost your testosterone production to keep your libido high and potentially counteract the natural decrease in T levels as you age.
-
A. Dutasteride (Avodart) has been linked to both erectile dysfunction and low libido (PeerJ, online, March 9, 2017).
-
Still, pop culture celebrating the libido of middle-aged women helps, doesn't it?
-
Freud’s original theory, after all, rested on an account of great psychical torsions set in motion by the libido.
-
Does a supposedly natural coffee that will improve your libido and sexual stamina using just herbs sound too good to be true?
-
Donkeys are being slaughtered at an alarming pace in Africa to feed Chinese demand for a gel made from their skins believed to have anti-aging and libido-enhancing properties.
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
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
-
See words that rhyme with libido Spanish Central: Translation of libido Nglish: Translation of libido for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about libido
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up libido? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!