heavy petting

noun

1. Informal. intense petting that involves mutual stimulation of the genitals but not sexual intercourse.

Word History and Origins

Origin of heavy petting¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

Speaking her truth on what she rightfully views as a disparity here, AOC drew a comparison between how Fox seems to hound her every move, while Boebert was shown leniency after surveillance footage from the night in question captured her vaping, being generally unruly, and engaging in heavy petting with her male companion in a crowded theater.

From Salon

The GOP's most famous exemplar of youthful marriage, 36-year-old Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, got caught publicly engaging in what traditionalists call "heavy petting" with her bar-owning date, before getting kicked out of a staging of "Beetlejuice: The Musical."

From Salon

Carrie arrives at this conclusion after a few dates that don't get past heavy petting, but fellow singletons watching at home may have recognized the red flag flapping way back in the doctor's office when he tells Carrie he's never been married.

From Salon

“There was a whole scene going — dancing, heavy petting, everything you could think of. Just classic teenage rock ’n’ roll passion.”

From New York Times

In "Penny Lane," Paul gives us a barber's shop that shows photographs, a banker driving a car, little children who laugh at the banker, a fireman, a portrait of the Queen, heavy petting, a clean fire engine, a pretty nurse, the selling of poppies, a bus shelter, a barber shaving a customer, a fireman rushing about, the rain pouring and all this beneath the blue suburban sky.

From Salon