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 of pregnancy

• gestation

Examples of pregnancy in a Sentence

an elephant's pregnancy can last almost a year

Recent Examples on the Web

That's part of the reason Indigenous women are far more likely to get sick from pregnancy and at least twice as likely to die as white women. —Katheryn Houghton, NPR, 7 Apr. 2026

Abuse – both verbal and physical – often worsens in pregnancy, according to infant and maternal health nonprofit March of Dimes. —Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026

More than half of all twin pregnancies result in preterm births, according to a news release. —Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026

According to its website, Caribbean Airlines allows pregnant passengers to fly without medical clearance up to the end of their 32nd week of pregnancy — but does not accept passengers after the 35th week. —Francie Ebert, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026

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