complication

noun com·pli·ca·tion \ ˌkäm-plə-ˈkā-shən \

Updated on: 20 Apr 2018

Definition of complication

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

See complication defined for English-language learners

See complication defined for kids

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 of complication from the Web

Either option would bring a long line of questions and complications.

— sam mellinger, kansascity, "Mellinger Minutes: KU & the FBI, Royals & stinking, Vermes & Reid switching jobs & more | The Kansas City Star," 17 Apr. 2018
But complications worsen over time, and can make even simple tasks like showering and getting dressed nearly impossible, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

— shelby fleig, USA TODAY, "5 things to know about COPD, the lung disease ailing Barbara Bush," 16 Apr. 2018
Among those complications: What happens when one resident’s right to medical marijuana bumps up against another resident’s desire for smoke-free air, or even a medical need for smoke-free air?

— beth teitell, BostonGlobe.com, "In Boston-area condos and apartments, the smell of pot pits neighbor against neighbor," 15 Apr. 2018
There are added complications like meeting each other's dietary needs and respecting health goals or limitations.

— author: wayne and wanda, Anchorage Daily News, "My girlfriend and I usually get along great. Then there are the hangry times.," 15 Apr. 2018
The study came after nearly two years of Texas garnering national and international scrutiny over the number of women dying from preventable childbirth complications.

— marissa evans, star-telegram, "More questions than answers in Texas maternal mortality study, lawmakers say | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 14 Apr. 2018
Last summer and fall, Cummings was away from Washington for about three months after surgery to repair a heart valve, followed by infection and complications.

— steve thompson, Washington Post, "Rep. Elijah Cummings returns to Capitol Hill after three-month absence," 12 Apr. 2018
There’s a lot to be learned from studying real people, in all their devilish complications.

— noel murray, Vox, "Reality TV offers valuable lessons for children. Really.," 12 Apr. 2018
Common complications related to childbirth include hemorrhaging, chronic issues like high blood pressure and drug overdoses.

— julie chang, chicagotribune.com, "Human error likely caused Texas' maternal mortality rate to appear high," 11 Apr. 2018

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.

First Known Use of complication

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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complication Synonyms

Other Literature Terms

apophasis, bathos, bildungsroman, bowdlerize, caesura, coda, doggerel, euphemism, poesy, prosody

COMPLICATION Defined for English Language Learners

complication

noun

Definition of complication for English Language Learners

: 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

COMPLICATION Defined for Kids

complication

noun com·pli·ca·tion \ ˌkäm-plə-ˈkā-shən \

Definition of complication for Students

: something that makes a situation more difficult

Medical Dictionary

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