What does condom mean?
A condom is a thin, flexible sheath — usually made of latex, polyurethane, or polyisoprene — worn over the penis during sexual intercourse to act as a barrier against both unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. A related product, sometimes called a female or internal condom, is inserted into the vagina and serves the same protective purpose. Condoms are among the oldest and most widely used forms of contraception, valued because, unlike most other contraceptive methods, they also provide substantial protection against infections such as HIV and chlamydia. The word itself functions as a countable noun with plural 'condoms', and it appears in neutral register across medical literature, public health messaging, and everyday speech. Colloquial synonyms vary by region: 'rubber' in American English and 'French letter' in British English. Despite the familiarity of the object and its name, the etymology of the word remains disputed, making it one of the more intriguing lexical mysteries in modern English.
A thin sheath of latex or similar elastic material worn over the penis during sexual intercourse to prevent pregnancy and reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections.
"Always check the expiration date before using a condom."
Also applied by extension to the female/internal condom, an analogous vaginal barrier device.
(Female/internal condom) A pouch-like barrier device inserted into the vagina before intercourse for contraception and infection prevention.
"Internal condoms give people a receptive-partner-controlled option for protection."
Sometimes distinguished as a separate sense; marketed under names such as FC2.
Regular plural; used when referring to multiple devices, e.g. in public health or retail contexts.
"The charity distributes free condoms at universities."
The origin of the word 'condom' is genuinely unknown — the popular story that it was invented by a 17th-century English doctor named the Earl of Condom is almost certainly a myth with no historical evidence behind it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of condom
The origin of the word condom is uncertain and much debated. It first appears in English in the early 18th century, though similar devices were described earlier under other names. A widely repeated but unsubstantiated story attributes both the device and the word to a 17th-century physician associated with King Charles II, often named as the Earl of Condom; historians regard this account as unreliable. Other proposed origins include Italian 'guantone' (large glove) via French 'gondon', and Latin 'condus' (vessel that receives). No theory is definitively established.
Related word forms
How condom is actually used
Condom is a standard, neutral term used in medical, educational, and everyday contexts. Informal synonyms such as 'rubber' (US) or 'French letter' (British) are colloquial. The female or internal condom is a distinct product inserted vaginally rather than worn on the penis.
Easily confused with condom
A condom is a barrier worn over the penis (or inside the vagina), while a diaphragm is a dome-shaped silicone device fitted over the cervix used only for contraception.