Missionary Position
Updated:The missionary position is a common sex position in which a person with a vagina lies on their back with their legs apart, while a person with a penis lies on top, face to face. The penis-having partner penetrates the vagina-having partner. It is often associated with heterosexual intercourse but can be used by people of any sexual orientation with the appropriate anatomy.
Additional Information
The missionary position allows face-to-face intimacy and is often considered a "default" penetrative sex position. Variations can involve adjusting leg positioning, such as the vagina-having partner wrapping their legs around the penis-having partner. While sometimes considered "vanilla" or conventional, many couples find the intimacy, ability to kiss/make eye contact, and full-body contact highly erotic.
Examples
A heterosexual couple engaging in penetrative vaginal sex with the woman lying on her back and the man on top, face to face.
A lesbian couple using a strap-on dildo to have penetrative sex in the missionary position.