masturbation

noun

mas·​tur·​ba·​tion ˌma-stər-ˈbā-shən 

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

Examples of masturbation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One of the more extravagant and elegantly executed masturbation scenes belongs to Joan Allen in Gary Ross’ Capraesque 1998 film Pleasantville. —Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 31 July 2024

While everyone’s personal experience with climax differs, cinema depicting adult heterosexual relationships most often best conveys a woman’s pleasure through masturbation. —Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 31 July 2024

That's not a bad thing or a sign that something is wrong; in fact, that's one of things many people learn to love about accessory-free masturbation. —Molly Longman, refinery29.com, 8 Apr. 2024

Westheimer adapted to the times, talking about issues such as masturbation on her own YouTube channel and posting to her more than 113,000 X followers. —Sharon Jayson and Maria Puente, USA TODAY, 13 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

masturbation

noun

mas·​tur·​ba·​tion ˌmas-tər-ˈbā-shən 

: sexual stimulation of especially one's own genital organs by bodily contact apart from sexual intercourse and usually by use of the hand

masturbate

ˈmas-tər-ˌbāt

verb

Medical Definition

masturbation

noun

mas·​tur·​ba·​tion ˌmas-tər-ˈbā-shən 

: 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