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Showing results for sexual intercourse. Search instead for sexual overture.
Synonyms

sexual intercourse

American  
[sek-shoo-uhl in-ter-kawrs] / ˈsɛk ʃu əl ˈɪn tərˌkɔrs /

noun

  1. genital contact, especially the insertion of the penis into the vagina followed by orgasm; coitus; copulation.

  2. a sex act that involves penetration of one person’s vagina, anus, or mouth by another person for the sexual gratification of one or both parties.


sexual intercourse British  

noun

  1. the act carried out for procreation or for pleasure in which, typically, the insertion of the male's erect penis into the female's vagina is followed by rhythmic thrusting usually culminating in orgasm; copulation; coitus

"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

Etymology

Origin of sexual intercourse

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The WHO defines infertility as a disease of the male or female reproductive system that is defined by the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.

From Reuters Apr. 4, 2023

During Ramadan, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual intercourse from sunrise until sunset.

From Seattle Times Mar. 21, 2023

Dr. Lev-Sagie of Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem noted that the vaginal microbiome shifts substantially in response to menstruation, sexual intercourse, hormonal fluctuations and antibiotic use.

From New York Times Dec. 8, 2022

Vasyl knew his HIV could only be passed on through sexual intercourse or blood transfusion, but he was worried what would happen if his colleagues found out.

From BBC Nov. 30, 2019

So the later Sun-god, Jesus, is born without sexual intercourse, and Mary never bears another child.

From The Freethinker's Text Book, Part II. Christianity: Its Evidences, Its Origin, Its Morality, Its History by Besant, Annie Wood

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