pregnancy

noun

preg·​nan·​cy ˈpreg-nən(t)-sē 

plural pregnancies

1

: the quality of being pregnant (as in meaning)

2

: the condition of being pregnant : gestation

3

: an instance of being pregnant

Synonyms

• gestation

Examples of pregnancy in a Sentence

an elephant's pregnancy can last almost a year

Recent Examples on the Web

The majority held that the right to end a pregnancy was found neither in the text of the Constitution nor in the nation's history, erasing a reproductive right the high court established nearly five decades ago. —Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025

Patients often wait until the doctor is standing up to leave before blurting out their real concern, which is typically a sensitive or time-consuming problem, such as wanting to start birth control, having painful periods, or worrying about pregnancy or STDs. —Dr. Jill Grimes, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025

Pregnant people should receive a dose of the tetanus vaccine during each pregnancy. —Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025

After experiencing a pregnancy loss in 2020, Duggar welcomed another daughter, Fern, 3, in July 2021. —Hannah Sacks, People.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pregnancy

• ectopic pregnancy
• false pregnancy
• phantom pregnancy
• pregnancy test
• tubal pregnancy

Kids Definition

pregnancy

noun

preg·​nan·​cy ˈpreg-nən(t)-sē 

plural pregnancies

: the condition of being pregnant : gestation

Medical Definition

pregnancy

noun

preg·​nan·​cy ˈpreg-nən-sē 

plural pregnancies

1

: the condition of being pregnant

2

: an instance of being pregnant