onanism

noun onan·ism \ ˈō-nə-ˌni-zəm \

Definition of onanism

1 : masturbation

2 : coitus interruptus

3 : self-gratification

the kind of intellectual onanism to which he was dedicated
—Esther P. Shiverick

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onanistic

play \ˌō-nə-ˈni-stik\ adjective

Recent Examples of onanism from the Web

One White House foe famously described Bannon's behavior in office as nothing but a particularly impossible form of onanism.

— ishaan tharoor, Washington Post, "In Europe, Steve Bannon can still play the hero," 13 Mar. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of onanism

probably from New Latin onanismus, from Onan, son of Judah (Genesis 38:9)

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1718

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

onanism

noun onan·ism \ ˈō-nə-ˌniz-əm \

medical Definition of onanism

1 : masturbation

2 : coitus interruptus

—

onanistic

play \ˌō-nə-ˈnis-tik\ adjective

Biographical Note for onanism

Onan play \ˈō-nən\ Biblical character. In the Book of Genesis Onan was commanded by his father to impregnate the widow of his slain brother and to raise the offspring of the union. In order to avoid raising descendants for his late brother, however, Onan engaged in coitus interruptus.