complication

noun

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

Paul and Lisa Berghoff accepted a posthumous diploma on behalf of their son Andrew Berghoff, who died on March 19, 2017, due to complications from the flu and bacterial pneumonia. — Dan Shalin, chicagotribune.com, "Notre Dame grants posthumous diploma to beloved student Andrew Berghoff," 9 June 2019 Beryl Frank, a versatile writer who tackled a variety of topics, including home renovations, cooking, poetry and even histories of Pikesville and Sudbrook Park, died Sunday at Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center of complications from a fall. — Frederick N. Rasmussen, baltimoresun.com, "Beryl Frank, versatile writer, dies," 5 June 2019 Reid, 79, uses a wheelchair after back surgery that was necessary because of complications from chemotherapy. — Susan Page, USA TODAY, "Harry Reid changes opinion, says Pelosi-led House should open Trump impeachment inquiry," 4 June 2019 Powell Jobs is the widow of Steve Jobs, who died in 2011 from complications from pancreatic cancer. — Kevin Dupzyk, Popular Mechanics, "The New Frontier of Participatory Cancer Research," 26 Apr. 2019 Fosse was unfaithful to McCracken with Verdon for several years before the divorce (Wasson tracks the affair back to Damn Yankees), as McCracken’s health was declining due to complications from diabetes. — Emma Dibdin, Harper's BAZAAR, "A Complete Timeline of the Real Relationship Between Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon," 9 Apr. 2019 People reports the singer passed away on Saturday from complications from pneumonia and a blood clot that traveled to her heart. — Megan Stein, Country Living, "'The Voice' Coaches Pay Tribute to Contestant Janice Freeman, Who Has Died at 33," 4 Mar. 2019 The lead investigator on her case, Carl Burrell, had retired from the FBI by the time Israel died in late 2014, of complications from myeloma, at the age of 75. — Alissa Wilkinson, Vox, "5 fascinating stories about Lee Israel, the real person behind Can You Ever Forgive Me?," 19 Oct. 2018 That long, rich life ended early Wednesday morning when physicist Leon Lederman died of complications from dementia at the age of 96. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "Nobel-prize winning physicist who coined “god particle” dead at 96," 3 Oct. 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.

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Last Updated

14 Jun 2019

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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