sexual assault

noun

: illegal sexual contact that usually involves force upon a person without consent or is inflicted upon a person who is incapable of giving consent (as because of age or physical or mental incapacity) or who places the assailant (such as a doctor) in a position of trust or authority

Examples of sexual assault in a Sentence

convicted of sexual assault of a minor

Word History

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sexual assault was in 1971

Dictionary Entries Near sexual assault

Cite this Entry

“Sexual assault.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sexual%20assault. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

Medical Definition

sexual assault

noun
sexual as·​sault -ə-ˈsȯlt How to pronounce sexual assault (audio)
: illegal sexual contact that usually involves force upon a person without consent or is inflicted upon a person who is incapable of giving consent (as because of age or physical or mental incapacity) or who places the assailant (as a family friend) in a position of trust or authority

Legal Definition

sexual assault

see assault

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!