complication

noun

com·​pli·​ca·​tion ˌkäm-plə-ˈkā-shən 

1

a

: complexity, intricacy

especially : a situation or a detail of character complicating the main thread of a plot

b

: a making difficult, involved, or intricate

c

: a complex or intricate feature or element

d

: a difficult factor or issue often appearing unexpectedly and changing existing plans, methods, or attitudes

2

: a secondary disease or condition developing in the course of a primary disease or condition

Synonyms

• complexity
• complicacy
• convolution
• difficulty
• intricacy

Examples of complication in a Sentence

The negotiations stalled when complications arose.

Pneumonia is a common complication of AIDS.

She experienced complications during her pregnancy.

The patient died of complications from surgery.

Recent Examples on the Web

Young children who have certain underlying health conditions such as heart, lung, or neuromuscular diseases are also at risk of severe complications of this virus, the CDC said. —Dr. Jade Cobern, ABC News, 22 Sep. 2023

Nicholas Latimer, a vice president and director of publicity at Knopf, where Ms. Mehta’s husband, Sonny Mehta, was president and editor in chief for many years, said the cause was complications of a stroke. —Neil Genzlinger, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2023

Also, there may be factors that could signal possible complications during the baby's delivery (for example, breech presentation), which might make VBAC too risky when coupled with the other risk factors of prior C-section. —Lisa Milbrand, Parents, 20 Sep. 2023

Red-hot Barrow had to have its matchup with Kodiak pushed back to Sunday because weather complications forced a delay in the Kodiak team’s flight. —Josh Reed, Anchorage Daily News, 19 Sep. 2023

And research has shown the risk of cardiac complications among young men is up to 5.6 times as high after COVID infection as after COVID vaccination. —Phil Galewitz, CBS News, 19 Sep. 2023

The pair, who are expecting a baby boy, faced a pregnancy complication earlier this month, when Kardashian had to undergo urgent fetal surgery. —Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 18 Sep. 2023

Read on to learn about the husband stitch, including its history, safety, and possible complications. —Korin Miller, Health, 15 Sep. 2023

The frontman was previously hospitalized in 2014 related to complications with his liver and kidneys as a result of alcohol abuse. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English complicacioun, borrowed from Late Latin complicātiōn-, complicātiō "folding together, conglomeration," from Latin complicāre "to fold together, fold up" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at complicate entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

complication

noun

com·​pli·​ca·​tion ˌkäm-plə-ˈkā-shən 

1

a

: an act or instance of complicating something

b

: a situation or detail of character that complicates a plot

c

: a complex feature or element

d

: something that makes a situation more complicated or difficult

we were unable to agree when complications arose

2

: a disease or bodily condition existing at the same time as and affecting the course or severity of another disease or condition

Medical Definition

complication

noun

com·​pli·​ca·​tion ˌkäm-plə-ˈkā-shən 

: a secondary disease or condition that develops in the course of a primary disease or condition and arises either as a result of it or from independent causes