1 intercourse | Definition of intercourse
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intercourse

noun
in·​ter·​course | \ ˈin-tər-ˌkÈŻrs How to pronounce intercourse (audio) \

Definition of intercourse

1 : connection or dealings between persons or groups
2 : exchange especially of thoughts or feelings : communion
3 : physical sexual contact between individuals that involves the genitalia of at least one person anal intercourse oral intercourse especially : sexual intercourse sense 1 heterosexual intercourse
Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about intercourse

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Synonyms & Antonyms for intercourse

Synonyms

commerce, dealings, interaction, relation

Antonyms

nonintercourse

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Examples of intercourse in a Sentence

the unspoken rules of social intercourse

Recent Examples on the Web

 Certainly, the decision to have intercourse doesn’t turn an individual to an adult overnight. — Joelle Monique, The Hollywood Reporter, "How 'It: Chapter Two' Leaves Richie Tozier Behind," 7 Sep. 2019 Intercourse looks at the cultural meanings of heterosexual vaginal intercourse and at the political consequences of understanding women’s bodies as necessarily and rightly permeable. — Elaine Blair, The New York Review of Books, "Fighting for Her Life," 17 June 2019 But in cases of vaginal intercourse, it is left up to a judge’s discretion. — Alexei Koseff, SFChronicle.com, "Dem vs. Dem fight over gay-sex bill brings homophobia accusations," 20 Aug. 2019 With the advent of the pill, heterosexual intercourse became frequent and casual and usually inconsequential. — Lance Morrow, WSJ, "The Sexual Revolution and the Church," 24 Oct. 2018 Lube is also a great way to make intercourse feel more pleasurable. — Vanessa Marin, Allure, "Ask a Sex Therapist: Why Does Vaginal Sex Feel So Unsatisfying to Me?," 27 Sep. 2018 The child then told a forensic interviewer how she'd been forced into intercourse. — Fox News, "South Carolina man, 37, gets life sentence for impregnating 10-year-old girl, officials say," 9 Aug. 2019 Rachael’s radical hypothesis is that menstruation is necessary to flush out bacteria and guck that enter women’s bodies along with sperm during intercourse. — Joanne Engelhardt, The Mercury News, "Theater review: More to “How and Why’ than meets the eye," 18 July 2019 The comments were followed by inappropriate touching and hugs that eventually led to groping and finally forced intercourse in May 2018, according to the complaint. — Sophie Carson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "UWM professor charged with sexual assault of students has fled the country," 18 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'intercourse.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of intercourse

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for intercourse

Middle English intercurse, probably from Middle French entrecours, from Medieval Latin intercursus, from Latin, act of running between, from intercurrere to run between, from inter- + currere to run — more at car

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More Definitions for intercourse

intercourse

noun
How to pronounce intercourse (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of intercourse

formal : communication and actions between people

See the full definition for intercourse in the English Language Learners Dictionary

intercourse

noun
in·​ter·​course | \ ˈin-tər-ˌkÈŻrs How to pronounce intercourse (audio) \

Kids Definition of intercourse

: dealings between persons or groups Social intercourse requires communication.

intercourse

noun
in·​ter·​course | \ ˈint-ər-ˌkƍ(ə)rs, -ˌkÈŻ(ə)rs How to pronounce intercourse (audio) \

Medical Definition of intercourse

1 : connection or dealings between persons or groups
2 : physical sexual contact between individuals that involves the genitalia of at least one person anal intercourse oral intercourse especially : sexual intercourse sense 1 heterosexual intercourse

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More from Merriam-Webster on intercourse

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with intercourse

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for intercourse

Spanish Central: Translation of intercourse

Nglish: Translation of intercourse for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of intercourse for Arabic Speakers

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