clitoris

American  

[klit-er-is, kli-tawr-is] / ˈklɪt ər ɪs, klɪˈtɔr ɪs /

noun

Anatomy, Zoology.

plural

clitorises, clitorides

1. the erectile organ of the vulva, used exclusively for sexual arousal and stimulation: located inside of the vulva except for the protruding glans.

2. glans clitoris.

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clitoris British  

/ ˈklɪtərɪs, ˈklaɪ- /

noun

1. a part of the female genitalia consisting of a small elongated highly sensitive erectile organ at the front of the vulva: homologous with the penis

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clitoris Scientific  

/ klĭt′ər-ĭs,klĭ-tôr′ĭs /

1. A sensitive external organ of the reproductive system in female mammals and some other animals that is capable of becoming erect. It is located above or in front of the urethra.

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Other Word Forms

• clitoral adjective
• clitoric adjective
• clitoridean adjective

Etymology

Origin of clitoris

First recorded in 1605–15; from Greek kleitorís, akin to kleíein “to shut”

Explanation

The clitoris is a female sexual organ. A certain type of embryonic tissue develops either into a penis, in male babies, or a clitoris, in female babies. Like the penis, the clitoris has many sensitive nerve endings. It is located at the anterior end of the vulva.

Example Sentences

In the womb, they will develop a male anatomy until the final stage of growing a penis - and when they are not able to, then they’ll start developing a vulva and a clitoris.

From BBC • Aug. 8, 2024

For example, artificial insemination studies in cattle have found stimulation of the clitoris can help increase pregnancy.

From Scientific American • Feb. 16, 2023

Dr. Helen O’Connell, Australia’s first female urologist, recalled that in her own medical training, the clitoris barely made a cameo.

From New York Times • Oct. 17, 2022

Do you feel uncomfortable saying the word clitoris?

From The Guardian • Oct. 8, 2019

Teething, worms, adherent foreskin and clitoris, closing of the internal opening of the womb, delayed menstruation, are sometimes the cause.

From Mother's Remedies Over One Thousand Tried and Tested Remedies from Mothers of the United States and Canada by Ritter, Thomas Jefferson