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
In the study, women's bedtimes were found to be delayed by around 40 minutes when engaging in masturbation than when going directly to sleep.
—
Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
At a cookout, the humiliating demise of Jesse’s Prayer Pods is the main topic of conversation, as malls and airports ultimately decided against having a solemn refuge for public masturbation.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2025
Below, find our picks for best lube for sensitive skin, best lube for masturbation, and many more.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 14 Mar. 2025
Being a live show creates the obligation that if Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders said on a Thursday that schoolchildren should be taught about masturbation, SNL had to have Ellen Cleghorne do Elders explaining herself on live TV two days later.
—Al Franken, TIME, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for masturbation
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.
Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
At a cookout, the humiliating demise of Jesse’s Prayer Pods is the main topic of conversation, as malls and airports ultimately decided against having a solemn refuge for public masturbation.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2025
Below, find our picks for best lube for sensitive skin, best lube for masturbation, and many more.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 14 Mar. 2025
Being a live show creates the obligation that if Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders said on a Thursday that schoolchildren should be taught about masturbation, SNL had to have Ellen Cleghorne do Elders explaining herself on live TV two days later.
—Al Franken, TIME, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for masturbation
Cite this Entry
“Masturbation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/masturbation. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
verb
ˈmas-tər-ˌbāt
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share