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

Tension between Rhaenyra and her once-friend, once-enemy Alicent and her pregnant daughter, Haelena. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

Rincón also alleged that the woman had previously lied to him about being pregnant twice and in one instance claimed to have lost her baby, according to RCN Noticias. — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026

The remains of a 10-week pregnant young woman were identified last month as 15-year-old Cheryl Lynn Edwards, who went missing about 50 years earlier, according to nonprofit DNA Doe Project. — Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

Older adults, pregnant women and young children face greater risks and should take particular care to avoid infection, Chin-Hong said. — Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 25 July 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