child pornography: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal/Legal
Quick answer
What does “child pornography” mean?
Visual or audio-visual material that sexually exploits or depicts children.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Visual or audio-visual material that sexually exploits or depicts children.
Any representation, by whatever means, of a child engaged in real or simulated explicit sexual activities, or any depiction of the sexual parts of a child for primarily sexual purposes. It constitutes a serious crime in all jurisdictions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. Both use the same term. UK legislation may use 'indecent photographs of a child' as a specific legal phrase, but 'child pornography' remains the standard descriptive term.
Connotations
Identical, universally pejorative and denoting severe criminality.
Frequency
Usage frequency is tied entirely to relevant legal, journalistic, or academic discussions. No regional variation in frequency of use within those contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “child pornography” in a Sentence
The N of child pornographyV (possession/distribution) of child pornographyAdj (related/involved) in child pornographyVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “child pornography” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- child pornography offences
- child pornography legislation
American English
- child pornography charges
- child pornography laws
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable in standard business contexts. Relevant only to tech policy (content moderation) or cybersecurity firms.
Academic
Used in legal studies, criminology, psychology, sociology, and media studies papers discussing crimes against children, internet law, and forensic investigation.
Everyday
Extremely rare in casual conversation due to its severe nature. If used, it is in the context of news reports or serious discussions about crime.
Technical
Central term in legal statutes, law enforcement reports, forensic IT analysis, and international human rights law.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “child pornography”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “child pornography”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “child pornography”
- Treating it as a count noun (e.g., 'child pornographies'). It is uncountable. Using it in an informal or joking context, which is highly offensive.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a non-count (uncountable) noun. You refer to 'child pornography' in general or 'possession of child pornography', not 'a child pornography'.
Yes. Terms like 'child sexual abuse material (CSAM)' or 'images of child sexual abuse' are increasingly used in legal and advocacy contexts to correctly frame the content as a record of a crime, not a genre of pornography.
In meaning, no. However, 'child porn' is an abbreviation used primarily in headlines or informal legal/law enforcement jargon. 'Child pornography' is the full, formal term.
Recognize it as a serious, formal, and sensitive legal term. Its use should be confined to appropriate academic, journalistic, or professional discussions. It is not for casual vocabulary building.
Visual or audio-visual material that sexually exploits or depicts children.
Child pornography is usually formal/legal in register.
Child pornography: in British English it is pronounced /tʃaɪld pɔːˈnɒɡrəfi/, and in American English it is pronounced /tʃaɪld pɔːrˈnɑːɡrəfi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'child' + 'pornography' – a compound where the first word tragically specifies the victims in the second.
Conceptual Metaphor
Not applicable. The term is a literal, technical descriptor of a criminal category.
Practice
Quiz
Which term is increasingly used in official contexts as a more precise synonym for 'child pornography'?