1
: of, relating to, situated near, or involving the anus
an anal fin
2
psychoanalytic theory
a
: of, relating to, characterized by, or being the stage of psychosexual development which follows the oral stage (see oral entry 1 sense 3) and during which the child is concerned especially with his or her feces
b
: of, relating to, characterized by, or being personality traits (such as parsimony, meticulousness, and ill humor) considered typical of fixation at the anal stage of development : anal-retentive
an anal disposition
—often used in nontechnical contexts to describe someone as extremely or excessively neat, careful, or preciseI have a mania for neatness in some matters that is almost anal.—
Joseph Heller
Joseph HellerExamples of anal in a Sentence
Adjective
He can be pretty anal about keeping his office neat.
Recent Examples on the WebJulia Ries, SELF, 6 Sep. 2024
The horrifying abuse began in 2014, when the girl was just 7 years old, and escalated to include anal rape, the 36-year-old man told the court during his guilty plea allocution, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 30 July 2024
As for Van Ness, he's had to take his anal health in his own hands after the rough few months he's had.
—EW.com, 15 Aug. 2024
However, unprotected anal intercourse should not be relied upon as a contraceptive method.
—Nicola Appleton, Parents, 16 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for anal 
Adjective
That’s because sitting on the crapper too long can stress your anal blood vessels, which can up your risk of hemorrhoids.
—Julia Ries, SELF, 6 Sep. 2024
The horrifying abuse began in 2014, when the girl was just 7 years old, and escalated to include anal rape, the 36-year-old man told the court during his guilty plea allocution, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 30 July 2024
As for Van Ness, he's had to take his anal health in his own hands after the rough few months he's had.
—EW.com, 15 Aug. 2024
However, unprotected anal intercourse should not be relied upon as a contraceptive method.
—Nicola Appleton, Parents, 16 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for anal
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'anal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near anal
Cite this Entry
“Anal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anal. Accessed 16 Sep. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
anal
1 of 2 adjective1
: of, relating to, or situated near the anus
the anal opening
anal fissures
2
a
: of, relating to, or characterized by the stage of psychosexual development in psychoanalytic theory that follows the oral stage and during which a child derives libidinal gratification from the expulsion and retention of the feces and conflict arises from parental demands regarding toilet training
During the anal stage, from about 18 months to 3 years, the sphincter muscles become sensitive and controllable and bowel and bladder retention and elimination become a source of gratification.—David G. Myers, Psychology
David G. Myers, Psychology
b
: of, relating to, or characterized by personality traits (as orderliness, frugality, and obstinacy) considered typical of fixation at the anal stage of development : anal-retentive
—often used in nontechnical contexts to describe someone as extremely or excessively neat, careful, or precise
compare genital sense 3, oral sense 3, phallic sense 2
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