Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

sexual intercourse

noun

Definition of sexual intercourse 

1 : heterosexual intercourse involving penetration of the vagina by the penis : coitus

2 : intercourse (such as anal or oral intercourse) that does not involve penetration of the vagina by the penis

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about sexual intercourse

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of sexual intercourse in a Sentence

a doctor who is accused of having sexual intercourse with one of his patients many people believe that it's best to wait to experience sexual intercourse until you're mature enough to handle it

First Known Use of sexual intercourse

1753, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about sexual intercourse

Share sexual intercourse

Statistics for sexual intercourse

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for sexual intercourse

The first known use of sexual intercourse was in 1753

See more words from the same year

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for sexual intercourse

sexual intercourse

noun

English Language Learners Definition of sexual intercourse

: sexual activity between two people; especially : sexual activity in which a man puts his penis into the vagina of a woman

See the full definition for sexual intercourse in the English Language Learners Dictionary

sexual intercourse

noun

Medical Definition of sexual intercourse 

1 : heterosexual intercourse involving penetration of the vagina by the penis : coitus

2 : intercourse (as anal or oral intercourse) that does not involve penetration of the vagina by the penis

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on sexual intercourse

See words that rhyme with sexual intercourse

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sexual intercourse

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sexual intercourse

Comments on sexual intercourse

What made you want to look up sexual intercourse? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

exculpate

to clear from alleged fault or guilt

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Difficult Vocab Quiz

  • the-education-of-achilles-eugne-delacroix
  • Which is a synonym of discomfit?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

TRENDING NOW

  1. gaslight It is a word, though.

  2. invasion CNN reporter questions President.

  3. relevancy Ariana Grande slams ex-fiancé.

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games