APA Dictionary of Psychology

n. a paraphilia in which preferred or exclusive sexual interest and arousal is focused on observing unsuspecting people who are naked, in the act of undressing, or engaging in sexual activity. Although the voyeur seeks no sexual activity with the person observed, orgasm is usually produced through masturbation during the act of “peeping” or later, while visualizing and remembering the event. Also called inspectionalism. See also peeping Tom. —voyeuristic adj.