pregnant

adjective

preg·​nant ˈpreg-nənt 

1

: containing a developing embryo, fetus, or unborn offspring within the body : gravid

2

: full, teeming

3

: rich in significance or implication

the pregnant phrases of the Bible

—Edmund Wilson

a pregnant pause

4

: having possibilities of development or consequence : involving important issues : momentous

draw inspiration from the heroic achievements of that pregnant age

—Kemp Malone

5

: abounding in fancy, wit, or resourcefulness : inventive

all this has been said … by great and pregnant artists

—The Times Literary Supplement (London)

6

archaic : cogent

7

obsolete : inclined, disposed

your own most pregnant and vouchsafed ear

—William Shakespeare

pregnantly adverb

Synonyms

• big
• caught
• enceinte
• expectant
• expecting
• gone
• gravid
• heavy
• quick [archaic]

Examples of pregnant in a Sentence

She got pregnant soon after her marriage.

There was a pregnant pause before the winner was announced.

Recent Examples on the Web

Lê: There’s the [2017] picture of Beyoncé pregnant with all the flowers. —Lucy McKeon, New York Times, 3 June 2024

Vulnerable individuals include those who are pregnant, newborns, children, older adults and those with a chronic illness. —Angela Rodriguez, Sacramento Bee, 3 June 2024

In addition to mandating better access to perinatal medical care behind bars and banning the use of Tasers and chemical weapons on pregnant inmates, the legislation required jails and prisons to provide free tampons and sanitary pads. —Anabel Sosa, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2024

Directed by Kim Ki-young, the film is a cautionary tale about the dangers of infidelity, following a couple that hires a maid to help around the house while the wife is pregnant, only to have the girl (Lee Eun-shim) destroy the family from the inside out. —EW.com, 2 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin praegnant-, praegnans carrying a fetus, alteration of praegnas, from prae- pre- + -gnas (akin to gignere to give birth to) — more at kin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 6

Kids Definition

pregnant

adjective

preg·​nant ˈpreg-nənt 

1

: containing a developing embryo, fetus, or unborn offspring within the body

2

: full of meaning

a pregnant pause

pregnantly adverb

Medical Definition

pregnant

adjective

preg·​nant ˈpreg-nənt 

: containing a developing embryo, fetus, or unborn offspring within the body : gestating, gravid