sodomy

American  

[sod-uh-mee] / ˈsɒd ə mi /

noun

1. anal sex, especially between men.

2. Law. any sexual contact other than heterosexual vaginal intercourse.

3. any sexual contact that is stigmatized as unnatural or immoral.

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adjective

1. Law. of or relating to any sexual contact other than heterosexual vaginal intercourse.

sodomy British  

/ ˈsɒdəmɪ /

noun

1. anal intercourse committed by a man with another man or a woman Compare buggery

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sodomy Cultural  

1. Sexual intercourse that is not the union of the genital organs of a man and a woman. The term is most frequently applied to anal intercourse between two men or to sexual relations between people and animals. (See pederast.)

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Discover More

According to the Bible (see also Bible), God destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah for unacceptable sexual practices, apparently including anal intercourse between men. Sodomy takes its name from the city of Sodom.

Many governments have laws against sodomy. These laws are difficult to enforce, however, and many people believe they violate personal privacy.

Other Word Forms

• sodomitic
  adjective
• sodomitical
  adjective
• sodomitically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of sodomy

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English sodomie, from Old French; see Sodom, -y ³

Explanation

Sodomy is a term for anal sex: the kind of sex where a penis goes into an anus. Sodomy is a term for anal sex that is not neutral: it implies a point of view. Most often, sodomy is mentioned in religious and legal contexts, which have at various times insisted that anal sex is either a sin or illegal. Usually, someone with a positive view of anal sex won't call it sodomy. A medical term for sodomy is anal intercourse; a slang term is buggery.

Example Sentences

The Pogues had reunited again in 2024 without Ranken and toured last year for the 40th anniversary of the band’s 1985 album “Rum Sodomy & the Lash,” which Ranken was credited with naming.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2026

The Pogues’ albums “Rum Sodomy & the Lash” and “If I Should Fall From Grace With God” overflowed with inventive, evocative songs that propelled MacGowan into the front ranks of songwriters.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 30, 2023

Where Costello spent “Rum Sodomy & the Lash” capturing an unadorned Pogues, here he adds pianos, strings and horns, bringing a cinematic sweetness to one of MacGowan’s loveliest songs.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 30, 2023

Chevron joined the Pogues following the release of their 1984 debut album, becoming a full-time member in time for its follow-up, Rum, Sodomy and the Lash, playing guitar, banjo and mandolin.

From The Guardian • May 17, 2013