missionary position

[ mish-uh-ner-ee puh-zish-uhn ]

noun

1. a face-to-face sex position in which the person who is being penetrated lays flat on their back, while the person who is penetrating them lays on top of them.

missionary position

noun

1. informal.
   a position for sexual intercourse in which the man lies on top of the woman and they are face to face

Word History and Origins

Origin of missionary position¹

First recorded in 1945–50; so called because it was allegedly advocated by Christian missionaries working among Indigenous peoples

Word History and Origins

Origin of missionary position¹

C20: from the belief that missionaries advocated this as the proper position to primitive peoples among whom it was unknown

Example Sentences

The missionary position no longer works for them — David has put on weight and would be too heavy.

From New York Times

Since then, this experience has been repeated while I was on top while leaning back and also while we were in a modified missionary position, with my legs over his shoulders.

From The Guardian

Yoga is for telling strangers that you can do missionary position, and also, like, eight of the other ones.

From New York Times

The missionary position has a lot to commend it; we like to look at each other – partly to check in and make sure the other is OK, but mainly because it is a relationship activity.

From The Guardian

He gently picks her up in his legs, cradles her, and rolls her onto her back … and then in the missionary position they get busy.

From National Geographic