verb
copulate
KOP-yuu-layt
verb
1
To have sexual intercourse (often used of animals in biological or clinical contexts).
"The documentary showed the birds copulate during their mating ritual."
How to Use Copulate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo mate or have sex — a clinical, biological term rather than an everyday one.
When to use it
Formal/clinical register, common in biology and medical writing rather than casual conversation.
Word Forms
copulated past tense, copulates singular
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Etymology
From Latin copulatus, past participle of copulare ("to join, couple, connect").