sexual relations

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sexual relations

1. plural of sexual relation

sexual relations pl (plural only)

1. (idiomatic) Sexual activity.

   Synonym: (dated) adult relations

   • 1950, Louis Portnoy, Jules Saltman, Fertility in Marriage: A Guide for the Childless:

     There may be an actual distaste for sexual relations for a week or so prior to the period, perhaps as part of a picture of general irritability and vague feelings of discomfort of which some women complain; the name "premenstrual tension" has been applied to this.

   • 1976 December 25, Julia London, quotee, “Boycotting Records”, in Gay Community News, volume 4, number 26, page 2:

     Our emphasis at this point is on the use of abusive sex in sexual relations as a selling technique. Of course we're not interested in seeing women objectivized in [non-violent] sexual ways for purposes of selling anything, but the immediate protest is to get rid of the violence...The images [on album covers] are part of an environment that trivializes brutality against women.

   • 1998, Bill Clinton, televised speech (part of Clinton–Lewinsky scandal)

     I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky.