ectopic pregnancy

noun

: development of a fertilized egg elsewhere than in the uterus (as in a fallopian tube or the peritoneal cavity)

Examples of ectopic pregnancy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Left untreated, gonorrhea poses a risk of infertility and can prove especially damaging to women, leading to pelvic inflammatory disease and ectopic pregnancy. Benjamin Ryan, NBC News, 3 Nov. 2023 The complications listed—infertility, blocked Fallopian tubes, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage—had all been hers. Mary Costello, The New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2023 One of the warning signs of an ectopic pregnancy is severe pelvic pain, particularly on one side of the abdomen. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 6 Jan. 2023 People who have had one ectopic pregnancy are more likely to have another. Rebecca Stewart, Parents, 6 Sep. 2023 Under the ban, abortions would be permitted for ectopic pregnancies, fetuses with fatal anomalies and women who need cancer treatment, among other exceptions. Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2023 An ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening if untreated.13 5. Jessica Migala, Health, 11 Sep. 2023 Garcia was diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy and had to have her fallopian tube surgically removed. Brianna Holt, Vogue, 7 July 2023 For example, some health care providers will only conduct early ultrasounds for certain high-risk pregnancy conditions like bleeding and abdominal pain, or to rule out ectopic pregnancy, congenital disorders, or miscarriage. Tricia O'Brien, Parents, 11 July 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ectopic pregnancy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ectopic pregnancy was in 1895

Dictionary Entries Near ectopic pregnancy

Cite this Entry

“Ectopic pregnancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ectopic%20pregnancy. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.

Medical Definition

ectopic pregnancy

noun
: gestation elsewhere than in the uterus (as in a fallopian tube or in the peritoneal cavity)

called also ectopic gestation, extrauterine gestation, extrauterine pregnancy

More from Merriam-Webster on ectopic pregnancy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!