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

The most recent paper, published earlier this year by Haynes and his colleagues in the Journal of Neuroscience, located the clitoris in the same area.

From Scientific American • Mar. 17, 2022

Do you feel uncomfortable saying the word clitoris?

From The Guardian • Oct. 8, 2019

Gynecologists’ expertise covers the whole vulva, including the clitoris.

From Slate • Jul. 23, 2019

Morgagni describes a supernumerary left nympha, and Petit is accredited with seeing a case which exhibited neither nymphae, clitoris, nor urinary meatus.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)