-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
priapism
noun
pri·a·pism
ˈprī-ə-ˌpi-zəm
: an abnormal often painful persistent erection of the penis
Examples of priapism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
And spare a kind thought for the poor guy who encountered Jenn before Anson, who perished from extreme priapism.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 10 Sep. 2023
But for those with two such genes, the potential complications include acute pain episodes, acute chest syndrome, strokes, priapism, jaundice, numb chin syndrome, an enlarged spleen, leg ulcers, and damaged blood cells in the retina, which can lead to blindness.
—Krithika Varagur, Harper's Magazine, 10 July 2023
Scientists have found that their venom can cause priapism: painful erections that can last hours.
—Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 20 Apr. 2015
Survivors tell of experiencing painful erections that last for more than four hours---a medical ailment known as priapism.
—Patrick Morgan, Discover Magazine, 5 Mar. 2011
Portis’s diffident, modestly gallant characters were a world away from the marital bonfires and priapisms of other male writers of his crop—Roth, Updike, Yates.
—Wells Tower, The New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2020
Lastly, and saddest of all, the Corvette will lose its hood of goodly length, the conspicuous priapism that has defined the mission for 65 years.
—Dan Neil, WSJ, 28 Nov. 2018
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.
Word History
Etymology
French priapisme, from Middle French, ultimately from Greek Priapos (traditionally portrayed in Greco-Roman art with an erect penis)
First Known Use
1601, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near priapism
Cite this Entry
“Priapism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/priapism. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Medical Definition
priapism
noun
pri·a·pism
ˈprī-ə-ˌpiz-əm
: an abnormal, more or less persistent, and often painful erection of the penis
especially
: one caused by disease rather than sexual desire
More from Merriam-Webster on priapism
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about priapism
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share