copulation
Reproductive physical act
Copulation is sexual intercourse—the physical act of mating.
The term is clinical and appears most often in biological or scientific contexts: Copulation in mammals typically involves internal fertilization.
The verb is copulate.
Outside technical writing, people usually say sex, intercourse, or any of dozens of slang alternatives.
Generating biological offspring
- fertilityCapacity for reproduction
- conceptionFormation of an idea
- gestationCarrying offspring in womb
- pregnancyCarrying developing offspring
ovulation · insemination · breeding · fetus · birth · prenatal · maternity · paternity
Sexual joining of bodies
- intercourseCommunication or sexual connection
- sexReproductive category or act
- matingReproductive pairing behavior
- consummationFinal completion or achievement
penetration · mount · fornication · coital · union · sodomy · humping
Gamete fusion creating zygote
- conceptionFormation of an idea
- gametesReproductive cells for fusion
- zygoteFirst embryonic cell
- ovumFemale reproductive cell
meiosis · genetics · chromosome · DNA · embryology · cellular · organism · reproductive
Innate erotic drive
- urgeStrong inner drive
- desireIntense wanting
- lustIntense carnal appetite
- arousalStirring to heightened state
passion · attraction · pheromones · instinct · primal · carnal · animalistic · impulse
Warm emotional attachment
- closenessState of proximity
- bondingForming close connections
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
- embraceHold closely in arms
passion · sensuality · togetherness · love · connection · chemistry · romance · lovemaking
procreation
Generating biological offspring
- fertilityCapacity for reproduction
- conceptionFormation of an idea
- gestationCarrying offspring in womb
pregnancy · ovulation · insemination · breeding · fetus · birth · prenatal · maternity · paternity · offspring
coitus
Sexual joining of bodies
- intercourseCommunication or sexual connection
- sexReproductive category or act
- matingReproductive pairing behavior
consummation · penetration · mount · fornication · coital · union · sodomy · humping
fertilization
Gamete fusion creating zygote
- conceptionFormation of an idea
- gametesReproductive cells for fusion
- zygoteFirst embryonic cell
ovum · meiosis · genetics · chromosome · DNA · embryology · cellular · organism · reproductive · sperm
libido
Innate erotic drive
arousal · passion · attraction · pheromones · instinct · primal · carnal · animalistic · impulse · sensuality
affection
Warm emotional attachment
- closenessState of proximity
- bondingForming close connections
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
embrace · passion · sensuality · togetherness · love · connection · chemistry · romance · lovemaking · afterglow
pairing
Joining two together
- nuptialOf a wedding
- displayPresentation for viewing
- pheromonesSpecies-specific chemical messengers
seduction · wooing · flirtation · preening · dance · plumage · birdsong · rutting
- reproductionreproduction, birth, baby, egg, sperm
- sexualitysexual orientation, sexual behavior, erotica, sexual identity, bisexual
- animal reproductionmating, give birth, fertilization, spawning, egg laying
- bird breedingegg, nest, hatch, chick, hatching
- intercoursecoitus, mating, lovemaking, consummation, intimacy
- intimacykiss, hug, embrace, closeness, snuggling
copulationabstinence
Voluntary forgoing of indulgences
celibacy · chastity · continence · virginity · self-denial
copulationinfertility
Inability to reproduce
sterility · contraception · barrenness · birth control · impotence