onanism

noun

onan·​ism ˈō-nə-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce onanism (audio)
1
2
3
: self-gratification
the kind of intellectual onanism to which he was dedicatedEsther P. Shiverick
onanistic adjective

Examples of onanism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the spring, Rolling Stone quoted her at length detailing the particular joys of onanism and her appreciation for the female body, which spiraled out across several tabloid news cycles. Alessandra Codinha, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2024 Writing is such a solitary art — onanism with words — that only the most perverse would want someone watching the act. Odie Henderson, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

probably from New Latin onanismus, from Onan, son of Judah (Genesis 38:9)

First Known Use

1718, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of onanism was in 1718

Dictionary Entries Near onanism

Cite this Entry

“Onanism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/onanism. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

onanism

noun
onan·​ism ˈō-nə-ˌniz-əm How to pronounce onanism (audio)
onanistic adjective
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!