What does ejaculate mean?
Ejaculate functions as both verb and noun in modern English, though its senses have narrowed considerably over time. Today the word almost exclusively refers to the discharge of semen from the body at sexual climax — as a verb describing the act itself, and as a noun denoting the fluid released. This makes it standard clinical terminology in medicine and reproductive science, while carrying a frank, explicitly sexual connotation in everyday speech. Historically, however, the word had a much broader life: from the early 17th century onward it meant to utter suddenly and emphatically, so that readers of Victorian literature encounter characters who 'ejaculate' exclamations of surprise with no anatomical implication whatsoever. That older sense is now effectively obsolete, kept alive mainly by its comic potential when encountered in classic novels. Derived forms such as 'ejaculation' and 'ejaculatory' remain common in medical and scientific writing, particularly in phrases like 'premature ejaculation' and 'ejaculatory duct'.
The semen discharged from the body during ejaculation.
"The laboratory analysed the ejaculate for motility and sperm count."
Used primarily in medical, reproductive, and forensic contexts.
To eject semen from the body at orgasm; formerly also, to utter suddenly and emphatically.
"He ejaculated an oath of frustration before slamming the door."
The sense 'to exclaim' is archaic and likely to be misread today; use 'exclaim' instead.
Standard plural for the noun sense, typically used in clinical or laboratory contexts when referring to multiple samples.
"Three consecutive ejaculates were collected for analysis."
Until the 20th century, 'ejaculate' appeared freely in classic novels — Sherlock Holmes regularly 'ejaculated' in Conan Doyle's stories, simply meaning he blurted something out.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of ejaculate
Ejaculate derives from Latin 'eiaculari', meaning to throw out or hurl forth, formed from 'e-' (out) plus 'iaculum' (a dart or javelin), related to 'iacere' (to throw). It entered English in the early 17th century with the general sense of sudden utterance, and the physiological sense developed later, becoming dominant by the 19th century. The same Latin root gives English words such as eject, inject, project, and trajectory.
Related word forms
How ejaculate is actually used
The verbal sense meaning 'to exclaim' is now archaic and may cause unintended humour in modern contexts; contemporary usage overwhelmingly refers to the physiological act, giving the word a clinical or sexual register. In medical writing it is neutral terminology; in general conversation it is frank or explicit.
Easily confused with ejaculate
Eject means to force something out generally (e.g. from a machine or premises), while ejaculate specifically denotes the discharge of semen or, in older usage, a sudden vocal utterance.