1
: erotic stimulation preceding sexual intercourse
2
: action or behavior that precedes an event
Examples of foreplay in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When my name was finally called, there was no foreplay.
—
Patricia Tortolani, Allure, 29 Jan. 2026
Many people with vaginas need clitoral stimulation to come, whether that’s during foreplay or the main event too.
—Zahra Thompson, SELF, 28 Jan. 2026
Hockey, in the world of Heated Rivalry, is just foreplay.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 26 Nov. 2025
However, the model does not reveal why or how kissing evolved, Brindle said, noting that there are multiple uses, including assessing potential mates, foreplay, bonding, mitigating social tension, and chewing food before giving it to offspring.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 19 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foreplay
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Patricia Tortolani, Allure, 29 Jan. 2026
Many people with vaginas need clitoral stimulation to come, whether that’s during foreplay or the main event too.
—Zahra Thompson, SELF, 28 Jan. 2026
Hockey, in the world of Heated Rivalry, is just foreplay.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 26 Nov. 2025
However, the model does not reveal why or how kissing evolved, Brindle said, noting that there are multiple uses, including assessing potential mates, foreplay, bonding, mitigating social tension, and chewing food before giving it to offspring.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 19 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foreplay
Cite this Entry
“Foreplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foreplay. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
foreplay
noun
fore·play
-ˌplā 
: erotic stimulation preceding sexual intercourse
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