ENGLISH
REFERENCE

condom

n.
US //ˈkɑndəm// UK //kˈɒndəm// con·dom
  1. 1 contraceptive sheath (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Medicine

    a thin cover, usually made of rubber, worn during sex to stop a person from getting pregnant or catching a disease.

    a flexible sheath, typically made of latex or polyurethane, used as a barrier method of contraception and to reduce the risk of infection during sexual intercourse.

    Example

    Health clinics often provide free condoms to help people practice safe sex.

    Example

    Public health campaigns emphasize that consistent use of a condom is the most effective way to prevent the transmission of various viral infections during sexual activity.

    Usage

    Countable noun.

Origin

Unknown. Many speculations exist. Possibly derived from Italian guantone, from guanto (“a glove”).

© 2026 English Reference