Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

genital

[jen-i-tl]
See more synonyms for genital on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. of, relating to, or noting reproduction.
  2. of or relating to the sexual organs.
  3. Psychoanalysis.
    1. of or relating to the genital phase of psychosexual development.
    2. of or relating to the centering of sexual impulses and excitation on the genitalia.
Show More

Origin of genital

1350–1400; Middle English < Old French < Latin genitālis of birth, equivalent to genit(us), past participle of gignere to beget + -ālis -al1
Related formspost·gen·i·tal, adjectivepre·gen·i·tal, adjectivesub·gen·i·tal, adjective

genitals

[jen-i-tlz]
plural noun
  1. genitalia.
Show More

Origin of genitals

plural noun use of genital
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for genital

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

British Dictionary definitions for genital

genital

adjective
  1. of or relating to the sexual organs or to reproduction
  2. psychoanal relating to the mature stage of psychosexual development in which an affectionate relationship with one's sex partner is establishedCompare anal (def. 2), oral (def. 7), phallic (def. 2)
Show More

Word Origin

C14: from Latin genitālis concerning birth, from gignere to beget

genitals

genitalia (ˌdʒɛnɪˈteɪlɪə, -ˈteɪljə)

pl n
  1. the sexual organs; the testicles and penis of a male or the labia, clitoris, and vagina of a femaleRelated adjective: venereal
Show More
Derived Formsgenitalic (ˌdʒɛnɪˈtælɪk), adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for genital

adj.

late 14c., in membres genytal "the genitals," from Latin genitalis "pertaining to generation or birth" (also a by-name of the goddess Diana), from genitus, past participle of gignere "to beget" (see genus). As a noun meaning "sex organ" from mid-15c.

Show More

genitals

n.

"reproductive organs," late 14c., from genital (adj.).

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
genital in Medicine

genital

(jĕn′ĭ-tl)
adj.
  1. Of or relating to biological reproduction.
  2. Of or relating to the genitalia.
  3. Of or relating to the stage of psychosexual development in psychoanalytic theory beginning in puberty and during which the genitals become the focus of sexual gratification.
Show More
n.
  1. A reproductive organ, especially one of the external sex organs.
Show More

genitals

(jĕn′ĭ-tlz)
pl.n.
  1. Genitalia.
Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
genital in Science

genitals

[jĕn′ĭ-tlz]
  1. The organs of reproduction in animals, especially the external sex organs.
Show More
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
genital in Culture

genitals

The organs involved in reproduction. (See reproductive systems.)

Show More
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.