intercourse

[ in-ter-kawrs ]

noun

1. sexual intercourse, especially coitus.
2. dealings or communication between individuals, groups, countries, etc.

   Synonyms: traffic, trade, commerce, sexual relations, sex act, sex, copulation, relations

3. interchange of thoughts, feelings, etc.

intercourse

/ ˈɪntəˌkɔːs /

noun

1. communication or exchange between individuals; mutual dealings
2. See sexual intercourse

Other Words From

• pre·in·ter·course noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of intercourse¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English intercurse, from Medieval Latin intercursus “communication, trading,” Latin “a running between, interposition”; inter-, course

Word History and Origins

Origin of intercourse¹

C15: from Medieval Latin intercursus business, from Latin intercurrere to run between, from currere to run

Example Sentences

The most popular brand of the morning-after pill—a medication that can prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse—is flying off the shelves.

From Quartz

Examples of sexual dating violence include unwanted touching, kissing or other sexual contact or intercourse.

From Science News For Students

In one Buddhist tale that appears in multiple versions, an automaton maker creates an artificial serving girl who fools a visiting artist into thinking it is human, so he has violent intercourse with it, destroying it in the process.

From Popular-Science

What someone does during intercourse and with whom they do it should be no one’s business.

From Washington Blade

For people who don’t take the time to do the necessary three months or more of tracking, it can put you at very high risk for an unintended pregnancy, because you might be ovulating and not know and have intercourse during your fertile period.

From Time

“Intercourse felt, often, like shoving a loofah into a mason jar,” she writes, for example.

From The Daily Beast

To these guarantees the Intercourse Act attempted to give force.

From Project Gutenberg

Intercourse is therefore a condition without which the Family of Nations would not and could not exist.

From Project Gutenberg

Intercourse, especially Trading, between Subjects of Belligerents.

From Project Gutenberg

Intercourse is thus rendered easy, for the heads of the valleys are often rolling pasturages.

From Project Gutenberg

Intercourse was not easy, and produced clear effects only in the case of Africa.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• copulation
• intimacy