coitus

noun

co·​i·​tus ˈkō-ə-təs How to pronounce coitus (audio) kō-ˈē- How to pronounce coitus (audio)
ˈkȯi-təs
Synonyms of coitusnext
: sexual contact involving penetration of the vagina by the penis : sexual intercourse sense 1
coital
ˈkō-ə-tᵊl How to pronounce coitus (audio) kō-ˈē- How to pronounce coitus (audio) ˈkȯi-tᵊl How to pronounce coitus (audio)
adjective
coitally
ˈkō-ə-tə-lē
kō-ˈē-
ˈkȯi-tə- How to pronounce coitus (audio)
adverb

Synonyms

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Examples of coitus in a Sentence

the act of coitus is the natural method by which conception occurs
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.
Villanueva, his instincts honed by his decades of service as a lawman, intuits that the only way a human being can reasonably incur a rug burn is via high-friction hotel room coitus with a 250-pound man. — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2025 Adding to these racial fetish undertones is a Black family servant whose coitus with Lucy’s soon-to-be sister-in-law (a white woman with box braids) is also constantly on display, leaving her to pleasure herself when he’s called away. — Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 31 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin, "meeting, encounter, act of sexual intercourse," from coi-, variant stem of coīre "to come together, meet, have sexual intercourse" + -tus, suffix of verbal action — more at coition

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of coitus was in 1615

Phrases Containing coitus

Browse Nearby Words

coition
coitus
coitus interruptus
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Cite this Entry

“Coitus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coitus. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on coitus

Nglish: Translation of coitus for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about coitus

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