masturbation

noun mas·tur·ba·tion \ ˌmas-tər-ˈbā-shən \

Definition of masturbation

:erotic stimulation especially of one's own genital (see genital 2) organs commonly resulting in orgasm and achieved by manual (see ¹manual 1) or other bodily contact exclusive of sexual intercourse, by instrumental manipulation (see manipulate 1), occasionally by sexual fantasies, or by various combinations of these agencies

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Recent Examples of masturbation from the Web

Still, its value is in its encyclopedic nature, including detours into necessary but often uncomfortable topics like adult diapering and masturbation.

— ron lieber, New York Times, "Hard-Won Advice in Books on Aging and Elder Care," 18 Aug. 2017
After centuries of being treated as the act that shall not be spoken of, female masturbation is finally shaking off some of its cultural baggage.

— danielle friedman, Health.com, "Masturbation Relieves Anxiety, Helps You Sleep, and Boosts Your Sex Life. So Why Don't More Women Do It?," 16 Aug. 2017
For the August/September 2017 issue of Bust magazine, Rodriguez opened up about a variety of topics for her candid cover interview, including masturbation.

— natalie stone, PEOPLE.com, "Gina Rodriguez Wishes Herself a Happy Birthday with a Glam Bikini Photo," 2 Aug. 2017
The woman told investigators North's masturbation comments caught her off guard.

— everton bailey jr., OregonLive.com, "Jail deputy ejaculated onto female inmate in changing room, court records say," 27 July 2017
Or would there be some trumped up excuse about masturbation or cookies to keep O.J. locked up?

— angela helm, The Root, "They Let O.J. Out. I’m $20 Richer But Ambivalent," 22 July 2017
This level also requires the initiate to give up masturbation.

— kyle swenson, Washington Post, "The alt-right’s Proud Boys love Fred Perry polo shirts. The feeling is not mutual.," 10 July 2017
Masturbation can be so much more than a tool for getting off and there are so many ways to explore self-pleasure.

— corinne werder, Teen Vogue, "Masturbation: Fact or Fiction," 5 July 2017
This year, Kendal's planning a special solstice masturbation ritual, in order to orgasm us (‘us’ as in, like, humanity) into summer.

— karley sciortino, Vogue, "Sex, the Solstice, and the Single Girl," 21 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'masturbation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of masturbation

1603

Medical Dictionary

masturbation

noun mas·tur·ba·tion \ ˌmas-tər-ˈbā-shən \

medical Definition of masturbation

:erotic stimulation especially of one's own genital organs commonly resulting in orgasm and achieved by manual or other bodily contact exclusive of sexual intercourse, by instrumental manipulation, occasionally by sexual fantasies, or by various combinations of these agencies