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 the series, Justin has an important conversation (and cucumber demonstration) with his father about contraception. —Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 11 May 2025

The state House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly Thursday night to codify into state law that minors can consent to contraception without parental notification. —Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 2 May 2025

Starting around 2000, expanded access to contraception slowly helped drive down the rate of unintended pregnancies and teen pregnancies, which have continued to decline since. —Azeen Ghorayshi, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025

Low-income patients who go there for things like contraception, cancer screenings and pregnancy testing could see their care upended if the court sides with South Carolina leaders who say no public money should go the organization. —Lindsay Whitehurst, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

contra- + (con)ception

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing contraception

• emergency contraception
• long-acting reversible contraception

Rhymes for contraception

• apperception
• interception
• misconception
• misperception
• preconception
• conception
• deception
• exception
• inception
• perception
• reception
• intussusception

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