penis

American  

[pee-nis] / ˈpi nɪs /

noun

Anatomy, Zoology.

plural

penises, penes

1. the primary organ used for insemination and, in male mammals, urination.

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penis British  

/ ˈpiːnɪs /

noun

1. the male organ of copulation in higher vertebrates, also used for urine excretion in many mammals

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penis Scientific  

/ pē′nĭs /

plural

penises

1. The male reproductive organ of mammals and some reptiles and birds. In mammals, the penis contains the urethra, which carries urine from the bladder and releases sperm during reproduction.

2. A similar organ found in the males of some invertebrate animals.

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penis Cultural  

1. The organ of the male reproductive system through which semen passes out of the body during sexual intercourse. The penis is also an organ of urination.

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Other Word Forms

• penial
  adjective
• penile
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of penis

First recorded in 1685–95, from Latin pēnis “tail, penis”; akin to Greek péos, Sanskrit pásas

Explanation

The penis is the male sexual organ. Boys and men and male animals all have penises. Kids and teens often giggle at the word penis, but it's just a word for a body part like "arm" or "leg." Well, a penis is a little different, since it's the organ males use for sex and urinating. Some men take a lot of pride in their penis, which in slang is most often called a dick. However, if you're talking about a dick with a parent or teacher, or you're writing about one in a paper, penis is the word you want to use.

Example Sentences

That one, called “The Conceptual Penis as a Social Construct,” was billed as an attack on gender studies in particular.

From Slate • Oct. 5, 2018

For all I know, they're still yapping about Tiger Penis as my fingers hit these keys.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2010

Related Words

• member
• weenie