pleasure

1 of 2

noun

plea·​sure ˈple-zhər How to pronounce pleasure (audio) ˈplā- How to pronounce pleasure (audio)
1
: desire, inclination
wait upon his pleasureWilliam Shakespeare
2
: a state of gratification
3
a
: sensual gratification
b
: frivolous amusement
4
: a source of delight or joy

pleasure

2 of 2

verb

pleasured; pleasuring ˈplezh-riŋ How to pronounce pleasure (audio)
ˈplāzh-;
ˈple-zhə-,
ˈplā-

transitive verb

1
: to give pleasure to : gratify
2
: to give sexual pleasure to

intransitive verb

1
: to take pleasure : delight
2
: to seek pleasure

Examples of pleasure in a Sentence

Noun I paint for the sheer pleasure of it. His grandparents took great pleasure in seeing him graduate from college. Is this trip for business or pleasure? It is a special pleasure for me to be here with you today. Now I can enjoy the simple pleasures of life, like spending time with my family. Verb a wine that is sure to pleasure even the most discriminating palate
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Venus enters Taurus and your security-seeking second house on June 6, drawing your focus to the practical and material pleasures of love. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 6 June 2025 Pick up his books and read just for the sheer pleasure of the great literature. Anna Tingley, Variety, 6 June 2025
Verb
While there are a slew of ways to pleasure yourself depending on these three factors, there are some basic tips that can be a helpful starting point, like how to finger yourself and how to jerk off. Quispe López, Them, 12 Mar. 2025 While, erm, pleasuring himself in the shower, a fully naked and very drunk Sean is taken aback by a familiar face who enters his bathroom. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for pleasure

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English plesure, alteration of plesir, from Anglo-French plaisir, from plaisir to please

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1537, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pleasure was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pleasure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pleasure. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

pleasure

noun
plea·​sure
ˈplezh-ər,
ˈplāzh-
1
: a particular desire or purpose : inclination
what's your pleasure
2
: the feeling that comes when one's wishes are met
3
: a source of delight or joy

More from Merriam-Webster on pleasure

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