masturbating
v. C1 Advanced US //ˈmæstɝˌbeɪtɪŋ// UK //mˈɑːstəbˌeɪtɪŋ// mas·tur·bat·ing
v. touching your own body in a sexual way for pleasure. People usually do this when they are alone.
v. stimulating one's own genitals for sexual pleasure or orgasm. Present participle of 'masturbate'; functions as the head of a verb phrase or as a gerund.
He was caught masturbating in the bathroom.
Health educators often explain that masturbating is a normal part of human sexual development and behavior.
The study examined how masturbating affects sleep quality, suggesting that the release of hormones like oxytocin may help some individuals fall asleep more quickly.
Usage
Intransitive or transitive; when transitive, it often takes a reflexive pronoun as the object.