contraception

noun

con·​tra·​cep·​tion ˌkän-trə-ˈsep-shən 

plural contraceptions

1

: deliberate prevention of conception or impregnation (as by the use of birth control pills, IUDs, condoms, coitus interruptus, vasectomy, or tubal ligation) : birth control sense 1

Barrier methods of contraception include condoms, diaphragms, and vaginal spermicides.

—Katherine M. Stone

Birth control pills are a type of contraception that is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy when taken consistently every day.

—Cleveland Clinic

… vasectomy … is the most effective and permanent contraception of all.

—James Kingsland

2

: devices or preparations designed to prevent conception

especially : devices or preparations (such as IUDs or birth control pills) that typically contain progestin either alone or in combination with estrogen and that prevent ovulation, thicken cervical mucus, or thin the uterine lining in order to prevent conception : birth control sense 2

In most states, insurers generally don't have to pay for contraception, but they do pay for Viagra.

—Andrew Stark

Pregnancy prevention, managing menstrual cramps, and treating irregular menstrual cycles were the most commonly cited reasons for wanting to use hormonal contraception.

—Miranda Hester

On Feb. 28, 2023, British Columbia was the first province to announce it would fund free prescription contraception for its residents.

—Bill Mah

see also emergency contraception compare contraceptive entry 1

Examples of contraception in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Senate Republicans blocked the Right to Contraception Act, which would have enshrined the right to contraception into federal law. —Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Mar. 2024

In This Article Types of Birth Control How To Prevent Pregnancy A Quick Review Birth control (contraception) is any device, medicine, or medical procedure that helps prevent pregnancy. —Stephanie Booth, Health, 6 Apr. 2024

Another 21% use birth control pills, followed by long-acting reversible contraception (16%), like IUDs and implants. —Ali Martin, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 Apr. 2024

So even if contraception slightly increases a woman’s risk of developing them, her overall risk still remains low. —Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 3 Apr. 2024

By and large, though, the changes to female contraception have been incremental—more ingredient swaps than whole new recipes. —Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2024

Ahead of the bill's final approval in the House, Fleming advocated for proactive, not political steps on contraception. —Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Mar. 2024

In addition, the administration has worked to expand access to reproductive health services, including family planning and providers, emergency contraception and long-acting reversible contraception such as intrauterine devices. —Michael Collins, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2024

Some vulnerable Republicans have already been trying to change course on contraception after opposing the 2022 bill. —Annie Karni, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

contra- + (con)ception

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing contraception

• emergency contraception

Kids Definition

contraception

noun

con·​tra·​cep·​tion ˌkän-trə-ˈsep-shən 

: deliberate prevention of conception and pregnancy especially by using a drug or a device (as a condom)

Medical Definition

contraception

noun

con·​tra·​cep·​tion ˌkän-trə-ˈsep-shən 

1

: deliberate prevention of conception or impregnation (as by the use of birth control pills, IUDs, condoms, coitus interruptus, vasectomy, or tubal ligation) : birth control sense 1

Condoms are the preferred method of barrier contraception because of their demonstrated ability to decrease HIV transmission.

—Mary A. Ott et al., American Academy of Pediatrics

2

: devices or preparations designed to prevent conception

especially : devices or preparations (as IUDs or birth control pills) that typically contain progestin either alone or in combination with estrogen and that prevent ovulation, thicken cervical mucus, or thin the uterine lining in order to prevent conception : birth control sense 2

Oral hormonal contraception, universally known as "the pill," is in fact represented today by a variety of methods using either estrogen-progestin combinations or progestins alone. A number of new routes of administration have also been researched and several of these new modalities have reached the market.

—Giuseppe Benagiano et al., Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

see also emergency contraception compare contraceptive entry 1 sense 1