contraception

noun

con·​tra·​cep·​tion ˌkän-trə-ˈsep-shən How to pronounce contraception (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The report noted girls in several countries cited difficulties around contraception access and agency in their decision-making around this. Carlotta Dotto, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025 The following year, the tumor was removed, and Somarakis continued to use the contraception. Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025 But for women who are also on hormonal birth control, spotting the difference between side effects of contraception and true signs of perimenopause becomes even harder. Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 15 Sep. 2025 Leveraging donations to invest in healthcare startups means more resources for founders solving issues like access to contraception, maternal health, or menopause care. Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for contraception

Word History

Etymology

contra- + (con)ception

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of contraception was in 1886

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Contraception.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contraception. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

contraception

noun
con·​tra·​cep·​tion ˌkän-trə-ˈsep-shən How to pronounce contraception (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce contraception (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on contraception

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