Sex

Updated: JULY 1, 2019

The term sex, in the broadest sense, refers to activities of a sexual nature performed by two or more people. Traditionally, it is used to refer to penetrative intercourse, where a man's penis penetrates a woman's vagina. In more recent years, many sexual advocates have lobbied to make this definition more inclusive, and one that describes a range of different activities performed by people with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations and with any number of partners.

More About Sex

The broadest possible definition of sex is not defined by penetration, the possibility of pregnancy or even orgasm. Under a broader, more inclusive definition of sex, any act involving the vulva, clitoris, vagina, anus, penis or testicles might apply. This could mean foreplay, oral sex or any other sexual activity people engage in for sexual pleasure. Many sex activistis have also argued for the inclusion of consent in this definition.