complication

noun

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com·pli·ca·tion | \ ˌkäm-plə-ˈkā-shən

Definition of complication

1a : 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

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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 And the complication of diabetes that is most likely to cause veterans to be admitted to a treatment center is an infected foot ulcer. — David G. Armstrong, STAT, "Diabetic foot ulcers: a silent killer of veterans," 11 Nov. 2019 The ensuing complications provide grist for the butler’s hilariously bad poetry. — Celia Wren, Washington Post, "Bravo for reviving the play that scandalized Jane Austen’s world," 11 Nov. 2019 The unpredictable complication was Chile’s big protests. — The Economist, "China tries to squeeze more out of a small trade deal with America," 7 Nov. 2019 The high-profile lawsuit involving two powerful developers is relatively rare in the city, but the dispute highlights the complications — and politics — involved in the massive projects that have propelled Boston’s historic building boom. — BostonGlobe.com, "Boston development moguls fighting over failed Back Bay condo project," 25 Oct. 2019 Those are some of the most dangerous complications, says Dr. Esper. — Amelia Harnish, Health.com, "What Is Enterovirus? Here's What to Know, According to an Infectious Disease Specialist," 25 Oct. 2019 Instead, young physicians in training need to practice building those healthy boundaries to avoid taking on every patient’s pain and all of the complications of their lives. — Lila Maclellan, Quartz at Work, "Should we be testing doctors for empathy?," 24 Oct. 2019 Sharon Osbourne isn’t afraid to speak candidly about going under the knife — and the complications that can come from it. — Georgia Slater, PEOPLE.com, "Sharon Osbourne Admits She 'Can Hardly Feel' Her Mouth After New Facelift," 23 Oct. 2019 The romantic complications mean the rotating wall will undergo a number of turns itself. — Mike Giuliano, baltimoresun.com, "Silhouette Stages’ production of ‘She Loves Me’ in Columbia is a love letter to the audience," 18 Oct. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'complication.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

15 Nov 2019

Time Traveler for complication

The first known use of complication was in the 15th century

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More Definitions for complication

complication

noun

English Language Learners Definition of complication

: something that makes something harder to understand, explain, or deal with

medical : a disease or condition that happens in addition to another disease or condition : a problem that makes a disease or condition more dangerous or harder to treat

See the full definition for complication in the English Language Learners Dictionary

complication

noun

com·pli·ca·tion | \ ˌkäm-plə-ˈkā-shən

Kids Definition of complication

: something that makes a situation more difficult

complication

noun

com·pli·ca·tion | \ ˌkäm-plə-ˈkā-shən

Medical Definition of complication

: 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

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