contraception

noun

con·​tra·​cep·​tion ˌkän-trə-ˈsep-shən 

plural contraceptions

1

: deliberate prevention of conception or impregnation (as by the use of birth control pills, IUDs, condoms, coitus interruptus, vasectomy, or tubal ligation) : birth control sense 1

Barrier methods of contraception include condoms, diaphragms, and vaginal spermicides.

—Katherine M. Stone

Birth control pills are a type of contraception that is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy when taken consistently every day.

—Cleveland Clinic

… vasectomy … is the most effective and permanent contraception of all.

—James Kingsland

2

: devices or preparations designed to prevent conception

especially : devices or preparations (such as IUDs or birth control pills) that typically contain progestin either alone or in combination with estrogen and that prevent ovulation, thicken cervical mucus, or thin the uterine lining in order to prevent conception : birth control sense 2

In most states, insurers generally don't have to pay for contraception, but they do pay for Viagra.

—Andrew Stark

Pregnancy prevention, managing menstrual cramps, and treating irregular menstrual cycles were the most commonly cited reasons for wanting to use hormonal contraception.

—Miranda Hester

On Feb. 28, 2023, British Columbia was the first province to announce it would fund free prescription contraception for its residents.

—Bill Mah

see also emergency contraception compare contraceptive entry 1

Examples of contraception in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In some early projects, Dr. Le Roy Ladurie dug deep into historical data into subjects such as child mortality, birthrates and use of contraception. —Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 25 Nov. 2023

The program, which starts next month, is expected to provide around 500,000 women with access to contraception. —Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 17 Nov. 2023

But here's the key, according to Dr. Sandoval: Neither of the IUDs provide primary contraception by inhibiting ovulation, the way birth control pills do. —Erica Jackson Curran, Parents, 4 Oct. 2023

The brand sells two doses of its contraception in one package, but only one dose is needed for the contraceptive to be effective. SUNDAY STYLES An article last Sunday about the actress and entrepreneur Gwyneth Paltrow described incorrectly Ms. Paltrow’s acting history. —New York Times, 8 Oct. 2023

The drug may cause fetal harm, so women taking it should use contraception, the FDA says. —Alexander Tin, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2023

The public mandate for affordable — including no-cost — contraception remains strong. —Dana Singiser, STAT, 23 Aug. 2023

Women are advised to use effective contraception during its use, and for one week after taking it. —Manasee Wagh, Popular Mechanics, 22 Aug. 2023

Currently, doctors do not routinely prescribe an NSAID along with emergency contraception in the way that the women in the study took them, says Dr. Erica Cahill, assistant professor in obstetrics and gynecology at Stanford University, who wrote an accompanying commentary to the study. —Alice Park, Time, 16 Aug. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

contra- + (con)ception

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing contraception

• emergency contraception

• emergency contraception

Kids Definition

contraception

noun

con·​tra·​cep·​tion ˌkän-trə-ˈsep-shən 

: deliberate prevention of conception and pregnancy especially by using a drug or a device (as a condom)

Medical Definition

contraception

noun

con·​tra·​cep·​tion ˌkän-trə-ˈsep-shən 

1

: deliberate prevention of conception or impregnation (as by the use of birth control pills, IUDs, condoms, coitus interruptus, vasectomy, or tubal ligation) : birth control sense 1

Condoms are the preferred method of barrier contraception because of their demonstrated ability to decrease HIV transmission.

—Mary A. Ott et al., American Academy of Pediatrics

2

: devices or preparations designed to prevent conception

especially : devices or preparations (as IUDs or birth control pills) that typically contain progestin either alone or in combination with estrogen and that prevent ovulation, thicken cervical mucus, or thin the uterine lining in order to prevent conception : birth control sense 2

Oral hormonal contraception, universally known as "the pill," is in fact represented today by a variety of methods using either estrogen-progestin combinations or progestins alone. A number of new routes of administration have also been researched and several of these new modalities have reached the market.

—Giuseppe Benagiano et al., Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

see also emergency contraception compare contraceptive entry 1 sense 1