genital

adjective

gen·​i·​tal ˈje-nə-tᵊl 

1

: generative

2

: of, relating to, or being a sexual organ

3

: of, relating to, or characterized by the stage of psychosexual development in psychoanalytic theory following the latency (see latency sense 3) period and during which oral and anal impulses are subordinated to adaptive interpersonal mechanisms

genitally

ˈje-nə-tə-lē 

adverb

Examples of genital in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Endocrine disruptors interfere with the human reproductive system, leading to genital and reproductive malformations as well as female infertility and a decline in sperm count, according to the Endocrine Society. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 3 Feb. 2025

Symptoms include vaginal burning, inflammation (reddening of the genital area), irritation, and foul-smelling discharge. —Wendy Wisner, Health, 30 Jan. 2025

This argument was not rooted in any language within the bill, as Republicans insisted that no genital inspection would ever be necessary and that proof of birth gender could simply be determined with a birth certificate. —Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 21 Jan. 2025

According to the paper, the number of people aged 15–49 years with genital infections from HSV-2 or HSV-1 worldwide in 2020 was 846.1 million. —Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin genitalis, from genitus, past participle of gignere to beget — more at kin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing genital

• female genital mutilation
• genital herpes
• genital wart
• non-genital
• pre-genital

Kids Definition

genital

adjective

gen·​i·​tal ˈjen-ə-tᵊl 

: of or relating to reproduction or the sexual organs

Medical Definition

genital

adjective

gen·​i·​tal ˈjen-ə-tᵊl 

1

: generative

2

: of, relating to, or being a sexual organ

3

a

: of, relating to, or characterized by the stage of psychosexual development in psychoanalytic theory following the latency period and during which oral and anal impulses are subordinated to adaptive interpersonal mechanisms

b

: of, relating to, or characterized by a personality in the genital stage of psychosexual development especially as typified by normal sexual desires and by concern for the happiness and pleasures of others compare anal sense 2, oral sense 3

genitally

-ē 

adverb