eunuch

1 of 2

noun (1)

eu·​nuch ˈyü-nək How to pronounce eunuch (audio)
-nik
1
: a castrated man placed in charge of a harem or employed as a chamberlain in a palace
2
: a man or boy deprived of the testes or external genitals
3
: one that lacks virility or power
political eunuchs
eunuchism
ˈyü-nə-ˌki-zəm How to pronounce eunuch (audio)
-ni-
noun

eunuchism

2 of 2

noun (2)

eu·​nuch·​ism -ˌkizəm How to pronounce eunuchism (audio)
plural -s
: the condition of being a eunuch

Examples of eunuch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
The boundaries between eunuchs and hijras might have indeed been porous at times. — Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 May 2026 At Saracens, Moors, eunuchs, Ruth wondered. — Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2025 The empress returns to her chambers to weep, only to be strangled by a eunuch under the noble consort’s orders. — Lavender Au, The Dial, 30 June 2026 Another theologian noted that, if true, this would make the Son of God functionally a eunuch. — S. C. Cornell, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for eunuch

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English eunuk, from Latin eunuchus, from Greek eunouchos, from eunē bed + echein to have, have charge of — more at scheme entry 1

Noun (2)

Late Latin eunuchismus, from Greek eunouchismos, from eunouchos + -ismos -ism

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of eunuch was in the 15th century

Rhymes for eunuch

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Browse Nearby Words

Eunotosaurus
eunuch
eunuch flute
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Cite this Entry

“Eunuch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eunuch. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

eunuch

noun
eu·​nuch ˈyü-nək, -nik How to pronounce eunuch (audio)
: a man or boy deprived of the testes or external genitals
eunuchism
-ˌiz-əm How to pronounce eunuch (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on eunuch

Nglish: Translation of eunuch for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about eunuch

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