phallus

[ fal-uhs ]

/ ˈfæl əs /

Save This Word!

noun, plural phal·li

[fal-ahy], /ˈfæl aɪ/, phal·lus·es.

an image of the male reproductive organ, especially that carried in procession in ancient festivals of Dionysus, or Bacchus, symbolizing the generative power in nature.

Anatomy. the penis, the clitoris, or the sexually undifferentiated embryonic organ out of which either of these develops.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of phallus

1605–15; <Latin <Greek phallós penis

Words nearby phallus

phallocentric, phallocentrism, phalloidin, phalloplasty, phallotoxin, phallus, Pham Van Dong, -phane, phanerite, phaneritic, phanerocrystalline

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use phallus in a sentence

Lawrence being Lawrence, he finds special resonance in the stone symbols of the phallus and the womb.
A case for D.H. Lawrence as a father of modern travel writing|Walter Nicklin|September 2, 2021|Washington Post
But nobody can look at that diagram and think about anything other than an impressively sized phallus.
11 News Anchor Flubs: Tom Brokaw on Ambien, Weather Penis, and More|Alec Kubas-Meyer|December 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Recently, a Photoshopped picture of conservative pundit S.E. Cupp with a phallus in her mouth was printed in Hustler magazine.
Meghan McCain: Cut It Out, Internet Bullies!|Meghan McCain|May 27, 2012|DAILY BEAST
They share the same last name, wavy hair, sly grin—and fascination with the phallus.
21 Jump Street: Meet Dave Franco, James Franco’s Hot Brother|Ramin Setoodeh|March 15, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Pulling back his cloak, he shows off his giant phallus bearing forth a bushel of fruit.
‘Aphrodite and the Gods of Love’: Museum Exhibit Gets Visitors in the Mood for Valentine's Day|Lizzie Crocker|February 12, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Either way, Irwin sees an upside to the current, phallus-ridden version.
The Naked Men of Chatroulette|Shannon Donnelly|May 10, 2010|DAILY BEAST
The Egyptians carried a gilt phallus, 150 cubits high, at the festivals of Osiris.
The Sex Worship and Symbolism of Primitive Races|Sanger Brown, II
In Syria, at the entrance of the temple at Hieropolis, was placed a human figure with a phallus 120 cubits high.
The Sex Worship and Symbolism of Primitive Races|Sanger Brown, II
The phallus was carried in procession for this purpose and the women dramatized the motive as searching for the god.
The Sex Worship and Symbolism of Primitive Races|Sanger Brown, II
It is said that there are thirty million phalli in India and that a phallus is found in nearly every Hindu household.
The Sex Worship and Symbolism of Primitive Races|Sanger Brown, II
Thus we see the phallus associated with the pine cone and other elements of vegetative life.
The Sex Worship and Symbolism of Primitive Races|Sanger Brown, II

British Dictionary definitions for phallus

phallus

/ (ˈfæləs) /

noun plural -luses or -li (-laɪ)

another word for penis

an image of the penis, esp as a religious symbol of reproductive power

Word Origin for phallus

C17: via Late Latin from Greek phallos

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