copulation
Americannoun
-
sexual intercourse.
-
a joining together or coupling.
Etymology
Origin of copulation
1350–1400; Middle English copulacion < Latin cōpulātiōn- (stem of copulātio ) a binding together. See copulate, -ion
Explanation
Copulation is a word for sex — a more scientific way of saying "sexual intercourse." You can use this word to describe the sexual practices of both humans and animals. Zoologists need to make sure there is copulation among endangered animals such as pandas. Stray animals like cats engage in a lot of copulation, which is why there are so many cats. If your female dog is not fixed and copulates at the park, you might have puppies on the way soon.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Copulation in wolves was only observed once during our study, on February 19, 1969.
From Ecological Studies of the Timber Wolf in Northeastern Minnesota by Frenzel, L. D.
Copulation lasted approximately three seconds; immediately thereafter the male flew to a nearby cattail stem and the female climbed a tussock of grass and chipped quietly.
From Comparative Breeding Behavior of Ammospiza caudacuta and A. maritima by Woolfenden, Glen E.
Copulation is accomplished without the hive, and in the air.
From New observations on the natural history of bees by Huber, François
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
