pregnant

adjective

preg·​nant ˈpreg-nənt 

1

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

2

: full, teeming

The moment was pregnant with excitement.

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 of pregnant

• expecting
• expectant
• with young
• with child
• caught

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

States are also setting up systems that may not adequately track pregnant and postpartum enrollees who should be exempt from the law’s new work requirements, erroneously dropping them from coverage, Burak’s report said. — Andrew Jones, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026

DePaul University’s former associate athletics director for health and wellness has filed a federal lawsuit against the school and AD DeWayne Peevy, alleging she was illegally laid off while seven months pregnant in violation of her civil rights. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Their big ugly bill could shutter 35 rural hospitals in Kentucky, fire 20,000 health care workers, but, more than that, create a system where a pregnant woman in Kentucky might have to drive an hour-and-a-half or two hours just to give birth. — CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026

Count these exercises toward your 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity physical activity, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends for pregnant women. — Andee Tagle, NPR, 15 Aug. 2026

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

Rhymes for pregnant

• regnant
• nonpregnant

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