complication

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

|Updated on: 14 Jun 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

Further complications arose via construction costs, technical snafus with their online menu and wrangling with regulations set by the Bureau of Cannabis Control.

— graham hacia, Billboard, "Records & Reefer: Amoeba Music's Flagship Store in Berkeley Opens Hi-Fidelity Pot Shop to Boost Business," 11 June 2018
June passed peacefully on the morning of May 30th 2018 due to complications with Brain Cancer in Boca Raton, FL.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Deaths in South Florida: 6/10," 10 June 2018
In the end, those complications mattered less to the parents in Ormsby's courtroom than seeing their kids again.

— michael e. miller, chicagotribune.com, "‘They just took them?’ Frantic parents separated from their kids fill courts on the border," 10 June 2018
These combined rehearsals not only involve the complication of putting all of the components together but also of the singers getting used to a new conductor.

— jessica rudman, courant.com, "HSO Wraps Up Masterworks Season With Impressive Collaboratin," 9 June 2018
In 2014, the latest year for which official figures are available, 47,000 women were hospitalised for complications.

— The Economist, "Argentina moves closer to legalising abortion," 9 June 2018
Working in condos means preparing for complications.

— carren jao, latimes.com, "Getting through that condo remodel means taking extra steps," 8 June 2018
Voters approved the $1 billion complex with shops, a yacht marina and a hotel in 2001, but Flagstone has built only dock space, citing the economic downturn and complications from PortTunnel construction.

— chabeli herrera and joey flechas, miamiherald, "Jungle Island gets approval to ask voters in August ballot: Can we build a hotel?," 8 June 2018
In fact, depression is the most common complication of pregnancy.

— nancy byatt, Philly.com, "Depression affects one in 7 pregnant women. Why isn't there more help for them?," 8 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