genital

adjective

gen·​i·​tal ˈje-nə-tᵊl 

1

: generative

2

: of, relating to, or being a sexual organ

3

: of, relating to, or characterized by the stage of psychosexual development in psychoanalytic theory following the latency (see latency sense 3) period and during which oral and anal impulses are subordinated to adaptive interpersonal mechanisms

genitally

ˈje-nə-tə-lē 

adverb

Examples of genital in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Among them was Miriam, who feared torture or death if she was forced to return there, and the twenty-one-year-old Togolese woman who had also fled genital mutilation. —Sarah Stillman, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025

It’s used to treat the genitourinary syndrome of menopause, which manifests as genital and urinary symptoms. —Genevieve Hofmann, The Conversation, 18 Nov. 2025

Other Cancers Other cancers of the genital and urinary tract can mimic the symptoms of prostate cancer or place stress on the prostate gland as the tumor grows larger. —Md Published, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025

For decades, women experiencing changes in genital and urinary health after menopause have faced a term that can feel more like a judgment than a diagnosis: vaginal atrophy. —Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 10 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin genitalis, from genitus, past participle of gignere to beget — more at kin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing genital

• female genital mutilation
• genital herpes
• genital wart
• non-genital
• pre-genital

Rhymes for genital

• congenital
• subgenital
• urogenital

Kids Definition

genital

adjective

gen·​i·​tal ˈjen-ə-tᵊl 

: of or relating to reproduction or the sexual organs

Medical Definition

genital

adjective

gen·​i·​tal ˈjen-ə-tᵊl 

1

: generative

2

: of, relating to, or being a sexual organ

3

a

: of, relating to, or characterized by the stage of psychosexual development in psychoanalytic theory following the latency period and during which oral and anal impulses are subordinated to adaptive interpersonal mechanisms

b

: of, relating to, or characterized by a personality in the genital stage of psychosexual development especially as typified by normal sexual desires and by concern for the happiness and pleasures of others compare anal sense 2, oral sense 3

genitally

-ē 

adverb