incest

noun

in·​cest ˈin-ˌsest 

: sexual intercourse between persons so closely related that they are forbidden by law to marry

also : the statutory crime of such a relationship

Examples of incest in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Under the administration of President Barack Obama, the government did not pay for abortions for teens in custody except in cases of rape, incest or a threat to the woman's life. —Author: Ann E. Marimow, Anchorage Daily News, 19 Dec. 2017

Our great grandchildren will be arguing about the ethics of incest well after we're buried in the cold ground. —Matt Miller, Esquire, 20 Sep. 2017

Game of Thrones: About That Hookup—Megan Garber argues that incest in the show is a metaphor for insularity, myopia, and people’s unwillingness to see beyond themselves. —The Editors, The Atlantic, 1 Sep. 2017

Jones said the bill, which prohibited abortions after 20 weeks, mandated certain requirements be met to permit abortions after 20 weeks in the case of a medical emergency, rape or incest. —Paul Gattis, AL.com, 2 Nov. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin incestus sexual impurity, from incestus impure, from in- + castus pure — more at caste

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

incest

noun

in·​cest ˈin-ˌsest 

: sexual intercourse between persons so closely related that they are forbidden by law to marry

Medical Definition

incest

noun

in·​cest ˈin-ˌsest 

: sexual intercourse between persons so closely related that they are forbidden by law to marry

also : the statutory crime of engaging in such sexual intercourse

Legal Definition

incest

noun

in·​cest ˈin-ˌsest 

: sexual intercourse between persons so closely related that they are forbidden by law to marry

also : the crime of engaging in such sexual intercourse

Etymology

Latin incestus sexual impurity, from incestus impure, from in- not + castus pure