Culture & Lifestyle • Sexuality

Fellation

Fellation is a form of oral sex in which a person stimulates another person’s penis with the mouth, lips, and tongue.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Fellation is a form of oral sex in which a person stimulates another person's penis with the mouth, lips, and tongue. The term comes from Latin roots meaning 'to suck' or 'to nurse.' In Canada, fellation is addressed in sexual health education as a form of oral sex that can transmit sexually transmitted infections, and it is discussed in the context of consent and safer-sex practices.

Definition

Fellation is a sexual practice involving oral stimulation of the penis. Standard dictionary and encyclopedic definitions describe it as a form of oral sex focused on the penis.

Etymology

The word comes from Latin fellatio, from fellare, meaning 'to suck' or 'to nurse.' This etymology is reflected in modern uses of the term in several languages.

Health and safety

Fellation can expose participants to sexually transmitted infections, including gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, chlamydia, hepatitis B, and HIV. Sources note that the risk is lower than for vaginal or anal sex in some contexts, but it is not risk-free. Risk is reduced by safer-sex practices such as condom use.

Like other sexual activities, fellation should only occur with clear consent. Non-consensual sexual acts are sexual assault.

Key facts

Fellation involves oral stimulation of the penis using the mouth, lips, and tongue.
The term is derived from Latin roots meaning 'to suck' or 'to nurse.'
It is classified as a form of oral sex.
Fellation can transmit sexually transmitted infections if barriers are not used.
The act should always be consensual.

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Canadian context

In Canada, fellation is relevant in sexual health education because it is a form of oral sex that can transmit sexually transmitted infections. Canadian readers may also encounter the term in discussions of consent, safer sex, and STI prevention.

Frequently asked questions

What is fellation?

Fellation is a form of oral sex in which the penis is stimulated with the mouth, lips, and tongue.

What does fellation mean?

It means oral stimulation of the penis; the term comes from Latin roots related to 'sucking' or 'nursing.'

How to perform fellation?

No step-by-step sexual instructions are provided. In general, any sexual activity should involve clear consent, communication, and attention to hygiene and safer-sex practices.

How to give good fellation?

No sexual technique advice is given. For safety and respect, focus on mutual consent, communication, comfort, and stopping if either person is uncomfortable.

Is fellation safe?

It can involve health risks, especially sexually transmitted infections. Using condoms and avoiding contact when there are mouth or genital sores can reduce risk, but it is not risk-free.

What are the health benefits of fellation?

No established medical health benefits are identified in the sources provided. It may be experienced as sexually pleasurable, but it should not be treated as a health intervention.

References

Real Academia Española — https://dle.rae.es/felación
Supports: Defines felación as a sexual practice consisting of oral stimulation of the penis.
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fellatio
Supports: Describes fellatio as oral stimulation of the penis and notes STI risk and consent context.
Wikipedia — https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felaci%C3%B3n
Supports: Provides etymology and notes that contact with mouth, pre-ejaculate, and semen can transmit STIs.
Universidad de Salamanca Dicciomed — https://dicciomed.usal.es/palabra/felacion
Supports: Gives a medical-style definition of felación as oral stimulation of the penis.