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

In July 1998, the FDA approved thalidomide for the treatment of a painful complication of leprosy. —David Armstrong, CNN Money, 10 May 2025

The first complication arises when a fellow passenger laces Reyes’ drink with a sedative, then carries him to the luxury-class bathroom to finish him off. —Joe Leydon, Variety, 8 May 2025

Lowe claimed of his conversations with Paxton's spirit Paxton, an actor known for movies like Aliens and Twister, died suddenly at 61 in 2017 due to complications from surgery Rob Lowe has dabbled in meetings with mediums and psychics, and said he's found his late friend Bill Paxton in the process. —Tommy McArdle, People.com, 8 May 2025

About 1 in 20 children with measles develop pneumonia, and 1 to 3 of every 1,000 infected children die of respiratory or neurological complications of the viral disease. —Dallas Morning News, Twin Cities, 8 May 2025

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

Rhymes for complication

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

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