complication

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

|Updated on: 9 Aug 2018

Examples: complication in a Sentence

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

Peter was in total remission from cancer but passed due to complications of pneumonia.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Deaths in South Florida: 7/11," 11 July 2018
These three women in their 50s and 60s — clients of mine during the past year — had selflessly cared for their mothers in their own homes right up to the moment of their deaths due to complications from dementia.

— barry j. jacobs, sandiegouniontribune.com, "What to do when caregiving finally ends," 6 July 2018
Kim was taken to University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, and died June 14 due to complications from his head injuries, police said.

— sarah meehan, baltimoresun.com, "Laurel man arrested, charged with hitting man in head with chair, killing him," 6 July 2018
Tupac was shot multiple times on Sept. 7, 1996, and then died at age 25 a week later due to complications from his injuries.

— evan real, The Hollywood Reporter, "Las Vegas Police Clarify Status of Tupac Case After TV Interview With Suspect's Uncle," 4 July 2018
Every game, every play, can be viewed as both a visceral extravaganza and a ticket to future complications.

— larry stone, The Seattle Times, "Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor’s departure elicits feelings of admiration, guilt," 3 July 2018
About a year ago, Selena Gomez underwent a kidney transplant due to complications from her lupus diagnosis.

— emily wang, Glamour, "Selena Gomez Says She's 'Stepped Back a Bit' Since Her Kidney Transplant," 29 June 2018
The Harris County Medical Examiner's Office attributed his death to complications from blunt trauma of the head with a subdural hemorrhage, a collection of blood outside the brain.

— drew hill, The Courier-Journal, "At least 6 MMA fighters have died while in the ring or shortly after," 21 June 2018
Too low runs a risk of dizziness or other symptoms, and too high can also lead to complications.

— david haugh, chicagotribune.com, "Brandon Morrow switching sides adds juice to Cubs-Dodgers rivalry," 19 June 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