con·tra·cep·tive
ˌkän-trə-ˈsep-tiv 
plural contraceptives
: a device or preparation that is designed to prevent conception
especially
: a device or preparation (such as an IUD or birth control pill) that typically contains progestin either alone or in combination with estrogen and that prevents ovulation, thickens cervical mucus, or thins the uterine lining in order to prevent conception
Hormonal contraceptives … sometimes cause midcycle bleeding or missed periods, while IUDs can lead to heavy monthly bleeding. —
Stacey Colino
Stacey Colino A progestin-based contraceptive composed of six matchstick-size capsules that are placed under the skin of a woman's arm for up to five years … —Ms. Magazine
see also oral contraceptive compare contraception sense 2
Ms. Magazine
: of, relating to, or involving the deliberate prevention of conception or pregnancy
… contraceptive pills/implants
Breast-feeding should have a contraceptive effect, since it lowers prolactin levels in the blood.—Sue Rodwell Williams
Sue Rodwell WilliamsMoreover, there is also evidence that certain substances in neem seeds may have contraceptive value.—Boyce Rensberger
Boyce Rensberger
Examples of contraceptive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebNew York Times, 8 Oct. 2023
Irregular periods could be caused by illness, certain medications, low or excess body weight, excessive exercise, stress, or hormonal contraceptives.
—Nicole Harris, Parents, 2 Aug. 2023
In ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, honey was also used as a contraceptive when mixed with acacia leaves and lint.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 31 July 2023
In the meantime, over half of U.S. states have laws that allow people to get hormonal contraceptives prescribed by pharmacists, rather than doctors.
—Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 13 July 2023
The contraceptives can’t be prescribed for more than six months at a time, and after a year a consultation with a healthcare provider will be required to continue receiving them.
—Alex Dalton, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2023
Black and Latine people and those with low English proficiency also report being less likely to receive quality contraceptive counseling that focuses on their values and preferences.
—Christine Dehlendorf, Scientific American, 13 July 2023
The over-the-counter contraceptive could also ultimately lessen the number of unintended pregnancies and their potential negative impacts.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 13 July 2023
Having easier access to contraceptives like the mini-pill helps teens stay safe and healthy.
—Emily Nadal, Parents, 13 July 2023
Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 15 Nov. 2023
And since most abortions result from unwanted pregnancies, the logical answer is to make contraceptive birth control measures widely and affordably available.
—CBS News, 12 Nov. 2023
The contraceptive protection from your IUD stops working once it is removed.
—Leah Rocketto, Health, 2 Nov. 2023
Half were randomly assigned to take a single 40 mg pill of piroxicam with their single levonorgestrel pill, while the other half were given a placebo pill with their contraceptive medication.
—Alice Park, Time, 16 Aug. 2023
Even the Little Sisters of the Poor, a Catholic order of nuns that successfully fought the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive mandate, chimed in.
—Matt Ford, The New Republic, 3 Oct. 2023
Four people were arrested for allegedly stealing $1,400 in contraceptive pills, medicine and other merchandise from a Target in San Mateo, The San Francisco Chronicle reports.
—Heather Knight, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2023
By Matthew Perrone | The Associated Press Washington • U.S. officials have approved the first over-the-counter birth control pill, which will let American women and girls buy contraceptive medication from the same aisle as aspirin and eyedrops.
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 13 July 2023
Scientists have found that adding a pain killer to an emergency contraceptive pill can improve the latter’s effectiveness.
—Alice Park, Time, 16 Aug. 2023
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Noun
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
Irregular periods could be caused by illness, certain medications, low or excess body weight, excessive exercise, stress, or hormonal contraceptives.
—Nicole Harris, Parents, 2 Aug. 2023
In ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, honey was also used as a contraceptive when mixed with acacia leaves and lint.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 31 July 2023
In the meantime, over half of U.S. states have laws that allow people to get hormonal contraceptives prescribed by pharmacists, rather than doctors.
—Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 13 July 2023
The contraceptives can’t be prescribed for more than six months at a time, and after a year a consultation with a healthcare provider will be required to continue receiving them.
—Alex Dalton, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2023
Black and Latine people and those with low English proficiency also report being less likely to receive quality contraceptive counseling that focuses on their values and preferences.
—Christine Dehlendorf, Scientific American, 13 July 2023
The over-the-counter contraceptive could also ultimately lessen the number of unintended pregnancies and their potential negative impacts.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 13 July 2023
Having easier access to contraceptives like the mini-pill helps teens stay safe and healthy.
—Emily Nadal, Parents, 13 July 2023
Adjective
Saved Stories As recently as the 1960s, perhaps later—within the life span of Tom Hanks, and within a few years of when the world was using its very first ATMs and contraceptive pills—nearly all of the planet’s sea turtles were living plastic-free lives.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 15 Nov. 2023
And since most abortions result from unwanted pregnancies, the logical answer is to make contraceptive birth control measures widely and affordably available.
—CBS News, 12 Nov. 2023
The contraceptive protection from your IUD stops working once it is removed.
—Leah Rocketto, Health, 2 Nov. 2023
Half were randomly assigned to take a single 40 mg pill of piroxicam with their single levonorgestrel pill, while the other half were given a placebo pill with their contraceptive medication.
—Alice Park, Time, 16 Aug. 2023
Even the Little Sisters of the Poor, a Catholic order of nuns that successfully fought the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive mandate, chimed in.
—Matt Ford, The New Republic, 3 Oct. 2023
Four people were arrested for allegedly stealing $1,400 in contraceptive pills, medicine and other merchandise from a Target in San Mateo, The San Francisco Chronicle reports.
—Heather Knight, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2023
By Matthew Perrone | The Associated Press Washington • U.S. officials have approved the first over-the-counter birth control pill, which will let American women and girls buy contraceptive medication from the same aisle as aspirin and eyedrops.
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 13 July 2023
Scientists have found that adding a pain killer to an emergency contraceptive pill can improve the latter’s effectiveness.
—Alice Park, Time, 16 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'contraceptive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing contraceptive
Dictionary Entries Near contraceptive
Cite this Entry
“Contraceptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contraceptive. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
contraceptive
1 of 2 adjective
con·tra·cep·tive
ˌkän-trə-ˈsep-tiv
: relating to or used for contraception
contraceptive
2 of 2 noun
: a contraceptive drug or device
Medical Definition
contraceptive
1 of 2 noun
con·tra·cep·tive
ˌkän-trə-ˈsep-tiv
: a device or preparation (such as an IUD or birth control pill) that typically contains progestin either alone or in combination with estrogen and that prevents ovulation, thickens cervical mucus, or thins the uterine lining in order to prevent conception
… contraceptives were classified as combination contraceptives if they included estrogen and progestin in each cycle … and as progestin-only contraceptives if they contained only progestin throughout the cycle.—Polly A. Marchbanks et al., The New England Journal of Medicine
Polly A. Marchbanks et al., The New England Journal of MedicineHormonal contraceptives … are frequently used by athletes to treat … MI [=menstrual irregularity], reduce menstrual symptoms (e.g., bloating, cramping), and reduce conditions secondary to excessive monthly blood loss, as well as for birth control.—Jennifer Cheng et al., American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitiation
see also oral contraceptive compare contraception sense 2
Jennifer Cheng et al., American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitiationcontraceptive
2 of 2 adjective
: of, relating to, or involving the deliberate prevention of conception or pregnancy
contraceptive devices
contraceptive efficacy
see also contraceptive pill, intrauterine contraceptive device
More from Merriam-Webster on contraceptive
Nglish: Translation of contraceptive for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of contraceptive for Arabic Speakers
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