1
: anal or oral copulation with another person
especially
: anal or oral copulation with a member of the same sex
2
: copulation with an animal
Usage of Sodomy
The word sodomy has a long history of use in reference to culturally stigmatized sex acts, and often specifically to sex acts between people of the same sex. In current usage, the term occurs most commonly in contexts relating to laws against such acts (called sodomy laws). In 2003, the U.S. Supreme Court held laws against consensual sex acts between adults of the same sex to be unconstitutional.
Examples of sodomy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Douglas County Sheriff's office arrested Baber on suspicion of third-degree rape, third-degree sodomy, and unlawful delivery of marijuana to a minor, among other charges, the newspaper reported.
—
Mary Bowerman, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2017
Works is charged with two counts of first-degree rape and two counts of first-degree sodomy, the website reported, citing state court records.
—Kim Chatelain, NOLA.com, 12 Dec. 2017
He is charged in Jackson County with rape, sodomy, kidnapping and stealing.
—Toriano Porter, kansascity, 2 Nov. 2017
The ramifications of such rumors could be serious in Guyana, Mr. Amin said, since the country still has laws against sodomy that could be punishable by life in prison, even if they are rarely enforced.
—Liz Robbins, New York Times, 20 Oct. 2017
See all Example Sentences for sodomy 
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Mary Bowerman, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2017
Works is charged with two counts of first-degree rape and two counts of first-degree sodomy, the website reported, citing state court records.
—Kim Chatelain, NOLA.com, 12 Dec. 2017
He is charged in Jackson County with rape, sodomy, kidnapping and stealing.
—Toriano Porter, kansascity, 2 Nov. 2017
The ramifications of such rumors could be serious in Guyana, Mr. Amin said, since the country still has laws against sodomy that could be punishable by life in prison, even if they are rarely enforced.
—Liz Robbins, New York Times, 20 Oct. 2017
See all Example Sentences for sodomy
Dictionary Entries Near sodomy
Cite this Entry
“Sodomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sodomy. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
sodomy
noun
sod·omy
ˈsäd-ə-mē 
plural sodomies
1
: anal or oral copulation with another person
especially
: anal or oral copulation with a member of the same sex
2
: copulation with an animal
Legal Definition
sodomy
noun
sod·omy
ˈsä-də-mē
: the crime of oral or anal sexual contact or penetration between persons or of sexual intercourse between a person and an animal
especially
: the crime of forcing another person to perform oral or anal sex
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