sodomy

noun

sod·​omy ˈsä-də-mē 

1

: anal or oral copulation with another person

especially : anal or oral copulation with a member of the same sex

2

: copulation with an animal

sodomitic

ˌsä-də-ˈmi-tik 

adjective

or sodomitical

ˌsä-də-ˈmi-ti-kəl 

Usage of Sodomy

The word sodomy has a long history of use in reference to culturally stigmatized sex acts, and often specifically to sex acts between people of the same sex. In current usage, the term occurs most commonly in contexts relating to laws against such acts (called sodomy laws). In 2003, the U.S. Supreme Court held laws against consensual sex acts between adults of the same sex to be unconstitutional.

Examples of sodomy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Douglas County Sheriff's office arrested Baber on suspicion of third-degree rape, third-degree sodomy, and unlawful delivery of marijuana to a minor, among other charges, the newspaper reported. —Mary Bowerman, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2017

Works is charged with two counts of first-degree rape and two counts of first-degree sodomy, the website reported, citing state court records. —Kim Chatelain, NOLA.com, 12 Dec. 2017

He is charged in Jackson County with rape, sodomy, kidnapping and stealing. —Toriano Porter, kansascity, 2 Nov. 2017

The ramifications of such rumors could be serious in Guyana, Mr. Amin said, since the country still has laws against sodomy that could be punishable by life in prison, even if they are rarely enforced. —Liz Robbins, New York Times, 20 Oct. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sodomie "a culturally stigmatized form of sexual intercourse," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin sodomia, from Late Latin Sodoma sodom (Greek Sódoma, Hebrew Sĕdhōm) + Latin -ia -ia entry 1; from the belief that the men of Sodom's intention was to practice such intercourse on Lot's male guests (in the Biblical story of the destruction of Sodom, Genesis 18-19)

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing sodomy

• anti-sodomy

Medical Definition

sodomy

noun

sod·​omy ˈsäd-ə-mē 

plural sodomies

1

: anal or oral copulation with another person

especially : anal or oral copulation with a member of the same sex

2

: copulation with an animal

Legal Definition

sodomy

noun

sod·​omy ˈsä-də-mē 

: the crime of oral or anal sexual contact or penetration between persons or of sexual intercourse between a person and an animal

especially : the crime of forcing another person to perform oral or anal sex

sodomize

ˈsä-də-ˌmīz 

transitive verb