masturbate

[ mas-ter-beyt ]

verb (used without object)

, mas·tur·bat·ed, mas·tur·bat·ing.

1. to engage in masturbation.

verb (used with object)

, mas·tur·bat·ed, mas·tur·bat·ing.

1. to practice masturbation upon.

masturbate

/ ˈmæstəˌbeɪt /

verb

1. to stimulate the genital organs of (oneself or another) to achieve sexual pleasure

Derived Forms

• ˌmasturˈbation, noun
• ˈmasturˌbator, noun

Other Words From

• mastur·bator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of masturbate¹

1855–60; < Latin masturbātus, past participle of masturbārī to engage in masturbation

Word History and Origins

Origin of masturbate¹

C19: from Latin masturbārī, of unknown origin; formerly thought to be derived from manus hand + stuprāre to defile

Example Sentences

Shortly after taking off, and while the aircraft was in the air, McGarity exposed his penis by pulling down his pants and shorts and began masturbating.

From The Daily Beast

Picture college guys in “accountability groups” where they confess and cry about masturbating and vow to try harder to love God.

From The Daily Beast

Male callers made sexually explicit comments or masturbated over the phone.

From ProPublica

A third, afraid to hang up on a customer, didn’t know what to do when she realized a caller was masturbating to the sound of her voice.

From ProPublica

In one early case, an employee alleged that the network’s executive producer masturbated in front of two women.

From Washington Post