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

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

• vice
• harlotry

Examples of prostitution in a Sentence

She was arrested for prostitution.

Writing commercials was a prostitution of his talents.

Recent Examples on the Web

Officials said that after Cooper’s arrest, the first victim, a runaway, was crying hysterically and denied any involvement in prostitution. —Samantha Lee, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026

With a focus on combating prostitution, pimping, pandering, and human trafficking impacting the downtown area, officers with the San Bernardino Police Department served a search warrant on April 29 at the motel. —Zach Boetto, CBS News, 2 May 2026

His pursuit of Epstein came several years after the shady money manager pleaded guilty in Florida state court to soliciting a minor for prostitution and served a 13-month jail term. —Dan Mangan, CNBC, 1 May 2026

The operation involved federal, state and local agencies and is part of ongoing efforts to target both buyers and facilitators in prostitution networks, officials said. —Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1553, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing prostitution

• anti-prostitution

Rhymes for prostitution

• absolution
• allocution
• attribution
• comminution
• constitution
• contribution
• convolution
• destitution
• devolution
• diminution
• dissolution
• distribution

Kids 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