prostitution
noun
pros·ti·tu·tion
ˌprä-stə-ˈtü-shən 
-ˈtyü-
1
sometimes offensive; see usage paragraph below
: the act or practice of engaging in sex acts and especially sexual intercourse in exchange for pay : sex work
2
: the state of being involved in or devoted to corrupt or unworthy purposes : debasement
You see, for Michelangelo, painting was only a day job—one he felt was a prostitution of his artistic talent. His passion was sculpture.—
Karen Wall Garrison
Karen Wall Garrison
Usage of Prostitute
The terms sex worker and sex work are now preferred to prostitute and prostitution, which are increasingly rejected as offensive. Additionally, prostitute and prostitution are avoided in contexts relating to victimization especially of children because the words there are seen as an egregious mischaracterization of exploitation.
Synonyms of prostitution
Examples of prostitution in a Sentence
She was arrested for prostitution.
Writing commercials was a prostitution of his talents.
Recent Examples on the Web
Youssef alleged the property later became associated with gang activity, narcotics activity, prostitution and violence.
—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
5 July 2026
The June 19 raid of the EZ-8 Motel focused on three rooms that were allegedly rented out by operators of a prostitution ring.
—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
4 July 2026
Within months, Mintz pleaded no contest to conspiracy to maintain a house of prostitution and two counts of state income tax evasion.
—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
27 June 2026
Combs has been incarcerated since his September 2024 arrest and is serving a 50-month prison sentence for his conviction on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
—
Kimi Robinson,
USA Today,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for prostitution
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
5 July 2026
The June 19 raid of the EZ-8 Motel focused on three rooms that were allegedly rented out by operators of a prostitution ring.
—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
4 July 2026
Within months, Mintz pleaded no contest to conspiracy to maintain a house of prostitution and two counts of state income tax evasion.
—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
27 June 2026
Combs has been incarcerated since his September 2024 arrest and is serving a 50-month prison sentence for his conviction on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
—
Kimi Robinson,
USA Today,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for prostitution
Cite this Entry
“Prostitution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prostitution. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prostitution
noun
pros·ti·tu·tion
ˌpräs-tə-ˈt(y)ü-shən
1
: the acts or practices of a prostitute
2
: the state of being prostituted
Legal Definition
prostitution
noun
pros·ti·tu·tion
ˌpräs-tə-ˈtü-shən, -ˈtyü-
: the act or practice of engaging in sexual activity indiscriminately especially for money
also
: the crime of engaging in such activity
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
