prostitution
Americannoun
-
the act or practice of engaging in sex acts, as sexual intercourse, for money.
-
base or unworthy use, as of talent or ability.
Other Word Forms
- antiprostitution adjective
Etymology
Origin of prostitution
First recorded in 1545–55; from Late Latin prōstitūtiōn- (stem of prōstitūtiō ); prostitute, -ion
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.
Madrid hosted two demonstrations in the centre of the Spanish capital -- one for transgender rights and the other for the legalisation and regulation of prostitution.
From Barron's • Mar. 8, 2026
Trump has denied wrongdoing and said his friendship with Epstein ended before Epstein pleaded guilty to procuring a minor for prostitution in 2008.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026
He had saved three girls from prostitution by throwing bags of gold through their window late at night—a legend that is the origin of his role as a gift giver to children.
From Slate • Dec. 15, 2024
After her noteworthy success in establishing harsher criminal penalties for child sex traffickers, Republican Sen. Shannon Grove has introduced legislation to lengthen prison terms for those who purchase or engage in child prostitution.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 29, 2024
Articles in the paper covered feminism, suffrage, sex education, legalized prostitution, vegetarianism, women in the military, and spiritualism.
From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling
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.
