foreskin

noun

fore·​skin ˈfȯr-ˌskin How to pronounce foreskin (audio)
: a fold of skin that covers the glans of the penis

called also prepuce

Examples of foreskin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Not to mention the business with foreskins, demanded by God like genital loot, the spoils of victory, so many scalps. James Wood, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 One example is phimosis, a rare condition that makes foreskin retraction impossible. Jenni Singer, Parents, 19 July 2023 The foreskin is thought to increase the risk of contracting HIV for two reasons. Jenni Singer, Parents, 19 July 2023 For example, circumcision is an appropriate treatment for most men with cancer of the foreskin. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 2 June 2023 Meanwhile, James Thomson from the University of Wisconsin managed to reprogram skin cells from a foetus and from the foreskin of a baby boy. Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 2 Feb. 2011 The probability of infection is also increased, adds Dr. Goldberg, since the foreskin has bacteria and is harder to clean. Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 3 Mar. 2023 Some medical professionals have argued the foreskin — though often seen as useless and inconvenient — may actually serve a crucial, hidden purpose. Tim Brinkhof, Discover Magazine, 17 Jan. 2022 But the foreskin’s benefits extend beyond the dermis. Molly Glick, Discover Magazine, 26 July 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'foreskin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of foreskin was in 1530

Dictionary Entries Near foreskin

Cite this Entry

“Foreskin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foreskin. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

foreskin

noun
fore·​skin -ˌskin How to pronounce foreskin (audio)
: a fold of skin that covers the end of the penis

called also prepuce

Medical Definition

foreskin

noun
fore·​skin -ˌskin How to pronounce foreskin (audio)
: a retractable fold of skin that covers the glans of the penis

called also prepuce

More from Merriam-Webster on foreskin

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