prostitution
noun
pros·ti·tu·tion
ˌprä-stə-ˈtü-shən 
-ˈtyü-
1
sometimes offensive; see usage paragraph below
: the act or practice of engaging in sex acts and especially sexual intercourse in exchange for pay : sex work
2
: the state of being involved in or devoted to corrupt or unworthy purposes : debasement
You see, for Michelangelo, painting was only a day job—one he felt was a prostitution of his artistic talent. His passion was sculpture.—
Karen Wall Garrison
Karen Wall Garrison
Usage of Prostitute
The terms sex worker and sex work are now preferred to prostitute and prostitution, which are increasingly rejected as offensive. Additionally, prostitute and prostitution are avoided in contexts relating to victimization especially of children because the words there are seen as an egregious mischaracterization of exploitation.
Synonyms of prostitution
Examples of prostitution in a Sentence
She was arrested for prostitution.
Writing commercials was a prostitution of his talents.
Recent Examples on the Web
Several high-profile individuals who have appeared in the files have faced swift public rebuke for maintaining personal and business relationships with Epstein for years after he was convicted in 2008 on two state prostitution charges.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 15 Feb. 2026
Acosta defended that deal — which had required Epstein to plead guilty to Florida state charges of soliciting a minor for prostitution — in six hours of testimony in September to the House Oversight Committee.
—Lola Murti,dan Mangan, CNBC, 15 Feb. 2026
The smear sites have alleged, without substantiation, that targets engaged in — among other activities — extortion, embezzlement, prostitution, drug dealing and human trafficking.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
Khanna described his public naming of the six men as part of a broader push to scrutinize wealthy and powerful individuals who maintained relationships with Epstein after his 2008 conviction for procuring a child for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prostitution
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 15 Feb. 2026
Acosta defended that deal — which had required Epstein to plead guilty to Florida state charges of soliciting a minor for prostitution — in six hours of testimony in September to the House Oversight Committee.
—Lola Murti,dan Mangan, CNBC, 15 Feb. 2026
The smear sites have alleged, without substantiation, that targets engaged in — among other activities — extortion, embezzlement, prostitution, drug dealing and human trafficking.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
Khanna described his public naming of the six men as part of a broader push to scrutinize wealthy and powerful individuals who maintained relationships with Epstein after his 2008 conviction for procuring a child for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prostitution
Cite this Entry
“Prostitution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prostitution. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prostitution
noun
pros·ti·tu·tion
ˌpräs-tə-ˈt(y)ü-shən
1
: the acts or practices of a prostitute
2
: the state of being prostituted
Legal Definition
prostitution
noun
pros·ti·tu·tion
ˌpräs-tə-ˈtü-shən, -ˈtyü-
: the act or practice of engaging in sexual activity indiscriminately especially for money
also
: the crime of engaging in such activity
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
