levonorgestrel

noun

le·​vo·​nor·​ges·​trel ˌlē-və-nȯr-ˈje-strəl 

: the levorotatory form of a synthetic progestin C₂₁H₂₈O₂ used especially in oral contraceptives

Examples of levonorgestrel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Oral contraceptives with progestogens desogestrel or levonorgestrel and risk of intracranial meningioma: National case-control study. —Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025

The first morning-after pills, single doses of levonorgestrel, hit convenience store shelves in Texas in March 2024. —Sarah Varney, NBC news, 18 May 2025

According to the team, the trick to the shot was the combination of the crystalline contraceptive levonorgestrel and the solvent benzyl benzoate. —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 24 Mar. 2025

The fingernail-size microchip implant holds enough 30-microgram daily doses of levonorgestrel—a hormone already used in several contraceptives—to last for 16 years. —IEEE Spectrum, 9 July 2014

Word History

Etymology

lev- + norgestrel, a progestin

First Known Use

1977, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

levonorgestrel

noun

le·​vo·​nor·​ges·​trel ˌlē-və-nȯr-ˈjes-trəl 

: a synthetic progestin C₂₁H₂₈O₂ that is used especially in birth control pills and contraceptive implants and that is the levorotatory form of norgestrel see mirena, plan b, seasonale, seasonique