pedophilia
noun
pe·do·phil·ia
ˌpe-də-ˈfi-lē-ə 
ˌpē-
ˌpē-
: sexual perversion in which children are the preferred sexual object
specifically
: a psychiatric disorder in which an adult has sexual fantasies about or engages in sexual acts with a prepubescent child
Cite this Entry
“Pedophilia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pedophilia. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
pedophilia
noun
pe·do·phil·ia
ˌped-ə-ˈfil-ē-ə
ˌpēd-
ˌpēd-
variants
or chiefly British paedophilia
: sexual perversion in which children are the preferred sexual object
specifically
: a psychiatric disorder in which an adult has sexual fantasies about or engages in sexual acts with a prepubescent child
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