or·gasm
ˈȯr-ˌga-zəm 
plural orgasms
: intense or paroxysmal excitement
especially
: the rapid pleasurable release of neuromuscular tensions at the height of sexual arousal that is usually accompanied by the ejaculation of semen in the male and by vaginal contractions in the female
Examples of orgasm in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 22 Oct. 2023
Some people lose their libido or ability to become aroused, while others have problems with genital sensitivity, genital lubrication, reaching orgasm or having satisfying orgasms, or ejaculation.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024
By contrast, a stage orgasm can be more controlled through technique.
—Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2024
Who doesn’t want to experience a mind-blowing orgasm?
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 13 Feb. 2024
When Harry Met Sally's fake orgasm scene has been known to cause embarrassment… especially for Meg Ryan's kids.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 3 Sep. 2023
Sally and Harry’s visit to the deli is one of the film’s most iconic scenes of the film, with Ryan’s character making loud, fake orgasm sounds right smack in the middle of the popular restaurant.
—Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Dec. 2023
In the 1989 rom-com Meg Ryan’s character Sally fakes an orgasm while dining at Katz's Deli, to the horror and bemusement of Harry and the restaurant's other patrons.
—Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 19 Dec. 2023
Emotionally, the opposite of an orgasm may be a yawn.
—Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2024
Kristine Thomason, Health, 27 Jan. 2023
Humans get a flush of oxytocin in response to a tender caress or to orgasm.
—Steven Phelps, Scientific American, 18 Jan. 2023
Noun
Female viagra has been shown to enhance orgasm intensity in women.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 22 Oct. 2023
Some people lose their libido or ability to become aroused, while others have problems with genital sensitivity, genital lubrication, reaching orgasm or having satisfying orgasms, or ejaculation.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024
By contrast, a stage orgasm can be more controlled through technique.
—Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2024
Who doesn’t want to experience a mind-blowing orgasm?
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 13 Feb. 2024
When Harry Met Sally's fake orgasm scene has been known to cause embarrassment… especially for Meg Ryan's kids.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 3 Sep. 2023
Sally and Harry’s visit to the deli is one of the film’s most iconic scenes of the film, with Ryan’s character making loud, fake orgasm sounds right smack in the middle of the popular restaurant.
—Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Dec. 2023
In the 1989 rom-com Meg Ryan’s character Sally fakes an orgasm while dining at Katz's Deli, to the horror and bemusement of Harry and the restaurant's other patrons.
—Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 19 Dec. 2023
Emotionally, the opposite of an orgasm may be a yawn.
—Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2024
Verb
According to research, the number of people with vaginas who orgasm during vaginal intercourse is low—only 6% of the participants in one study reached orgasm with only vaginal stimulation.
—Kristine Thomason, Health, 27 Jan. 2023
Humans get a flush of oxytocin in response to a tender caress or to orgasm.
—Steven Phelps, Scientific American, 18 Jan. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'orgasm.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near orgasm
Cite this Entry
“Orgasm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orgasm. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
orgasm
noun
or·gasm
ˈȯr-ˌgaz-əm
: the climax of sexual excitement
Medical Definition
orgasm
1 of 2 noun
or·gasm
ˈȯr-ˌgaz-əm
: the climax of sexual excitement that is usually accompanied by ejaculation of semen in the male and by vaginal contractions in the female
orgasm
2 of 2 intransitive verb
: to experience an orgasm
able to orgasm during intercourse—Shere Hite
Shere Hite
More from Merriam-Webster on orgasm
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about orgasm
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