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DictionarycopulateSexual intercourse
verb

copulate

KAH-pyoo-layt/ˈkɑːpjuleɪt/

To engage in sexual intercourse.

The adult tortoises copulate in the wildlife scene.

Scientific non-erotic wildlife illustration of two adult tortoises mating, natural shell-covered bodies, no exposed genital detail.
Etymology
copulateLatinto join, bind, unite

Latin copulare described joining or binding things together. The English verb likewise first meant “to join,” with the selected sense narrowing that general union to sexual union.

In context

Forest Film Studio2:10
On warm summer days, many insects bustle among flowers, feeding on their petals and pollen. This is also a good opportunity to meet specimens of the opposite sex and to copulate.
The extraordinary world of beetles

More examples

  • The study recorded the pair’s attempts to copulate.
  • The textbook uses copulate as a formal biological term.
  • The species typically copulates during its breeding season.

Forms

copulate · copulates · copulated · copulating

copulation noun — sexual intercourse

Similar words

mate
Mate is the usual biological verb; copulate specifically means engage in sexual intercourse.
reproduce
Reproduce means produce offspring; copulation is one possible part of that process.