masturbation

noun

mas·​tur·​ba·​tion ˌma-stər-ˈbā-shən How to pronounce masturbation (audio)
: erotic stimulation especially of one's own genital (see genital sense 2) organs commonly resulting in orgasm and achieved by manual (see manual entry 1 sense 1) or other bodily contact exclusive of sexual intercourse, by instrumental manipulation (see manipulate sense 1), occasionally by sexual fantasies, or by various combinations of these agencies

Examples of masturbation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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As part of his teaching, the court heard that Westwood talked to one teenager, who was raped, about a masturbation scene from Bridgerton. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2025 The glacial pacing and clunky script work in tandem with deviations from the source text, including an inexplicable bathtub masturbation scene, to make a cinematic crime for the ages. Eddie Mouradian, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2025 Last year Charlotte City Council took a controversial vote to restore criminal penalties for public masturbation, urination and defecation, and open containers, among other offenses. Alexandria Sands, Axios, 17 Jan. 2025 Popular on Variety The tone for proceedings is set by an introductory anecdote that Ricciardi relates directly to camera, concerning a teenage masturbation mishap that left him with splinters in the head of his member. Guy Lodge, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for masturbation

Word History

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of masturbation was in 1603

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Cite this Entry

“Masturbation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/masturbation. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

masturbation

noun
mas·​tur·​ba·​tion ˌmas-tər-ˈbā-shən How to pronounce masturbation (audio)
: sexual stimulation of especially one's own genital organs by bodily contact apart from sexual intercourse and usually by use of the hand
masturbate
ˈmas-tər-ˌbāt
verb

Medical Definition

masturbation

noun
mas·​tur·​ba·​tion ˌmas-tər-ˈbā-shən How to pronounce masturbation (audio)
: erotic stimulation especially of one's own genital organs commonly resulting in orgasm and achieved by manual or other bodily contact exclusive of sexual intercourse, by instrumental manipulation, occasionally by sexual fantasies, or by various combinations of these agencies

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