morning-after pill

noun

morn·​ing-af·​ter pill ˌmȯr-niŋ-ˈaf-tər- How to pronounce morning-after pill (audio)
: an oral drug usually containing high doses of estrogen taken up to usually three days after unprotected sexual intercourse that interferes with pregnancy by inhibiting ovulation or by blocking implantation of a fertilized egg in the human uterus

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web First a condom broke and then, despite using the morning-after pill, a pregnancy test came back positive. Heather Hollingsworth, Chron, 5 Nov. 2022 Your quick guide to the morning-after pill—straight from experts. Ashley Abramson, SELF, 10 Feb. 2023 Mifepristone, a two-pill regiment, differs from Plan B, also known as the morning-after pill, which is widely available at Florida pharmacies and considered more of an emergency contraceptive. Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 15 Jan. 2023 Volunteers with EZ EC — founded last year — deliver four to five orders of the morning-after pill per week. Mattie Kahn, Washington Post, 30 Nov. 2022 First a condom broke and then, despite using the morning-after pill, a pregnancy test came back positive. Heather Hollingsworth, Chron, 5 Nov. 2022 First a condom broke and then, despite using the morning-after pill, a pregnancy test came back positive. CBS News, 4 Nov. 2022 As with every morning-after pill, Julie has side effects too. Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 11 Oct. 2022 To have an even stronger impact on access, Marty feels mifepristone should be available in pharmacies without a prescription (similar to the morning-after pill) given its strong safety record. Jamie Ducharme, Time, 5 Jan. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'morning-after pill.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1957, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of morning-after pill was in 1957

Dictionary Entries Near morning-after pill

Cite this Entry

“Morning-after pill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/morning-after%20pill. Accessed 23 Mar. 2023.

Medical Definition

morning-after pill

noun
morn·​ing-af·​ter pill ˌmȯr-niŋ-ˈaf-tər- How to pronounce morning-after pill (audio)
: an oral drug typically containing high doses of estrogen taken up to usually three days after unprotected sexual intercourse that interferes with pregnancy by inhibiting ovulation or by blocking implantation of a fertilized egg in the human uterus

More from Merriam-Webster on morning-after pill

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