sexual assault

American  

[sek-shoo-uhl uh-sawlt] / ˈsɛk ʃu əl əˈsɔlt /

noun

• sexual assaults
  plural

1. nonconsensual touching of one person for the sexual gratification of another, including rape, fondling, molestation, or other unwanted contact with the genitals, anus, buttocks, groin, or breasts of either party.

   The victim was intoxicated and incapable of giving consent, so any sex act will be treated as sexual assault.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• sexual assaults
  plural

Etymology

Origin of sexual assault

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sexual assault

He announced other measures including the appointment of a dedicated staff member to support individuals reporting sexual misconduct, and inviting specialized New York State Police detectives to probe future sexual assault allegations.

From Barron's ● Oct. 13, 2026

In a video address over the weekend, Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff said: “We will also lend our full support to legislative efforts to change New York’s sexual assault laws.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

He added that university leaders need to create an environment where victims of sexual assault "feel safe coming forward and are treated with compassion and dignity".

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026

Shortly after, Jane Doe reported the incident to Cornell police, leading the school to assemble a sexual assault task force and conduct an internal investigation.

From Salon ● Oct. 2, 2026

The measure would replace the current system of adjudicating sexual assault by taking the cases outside a victim’s chain of command.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

Related Words

• molestation
• rape
• violation