preeclampsia

noun

pre·​eclamp·​sia ˌprē-i-ˈklam(p)-sē-ə 

: a serious condition developing in late pregnancy that is characterized by a sudden rise in blood pressure, excessive weight gain, generalized edema, proteinuria, severe headache, and visual disturbances and that may result in eclampsia if untreated

preeclamptic

ˌprē-i-ˈklam(p)-tik 

adjective

Examples of preeclampsia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One complication of preeclampsia is eclampsia, or seizures likely caused by damage to the vascular system that affect the brain. — Carina Heckert, The Conversation, 30 July 2026

Compared to younger women, older moms are at higher risk of complications like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, placental abnormalities, miscarriage chromosomal conditions and cesarean delivery. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 29 July 2026

Innovations such as doula care, blood tests to project risk of preeclampsia, and biometric tests to predict labor were already billed separately. — Jeff Levin-Scherz, STAT, 23 July 2026

Rocco said she was diagnosed with preeclampsia, or high blood pressure, near the end of her pregnancy. — Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 13 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for preeclampsia

• eclampsia

Medical Definition

preeclampsia

noun

pre·​eclamp·​sia ˌprē-i-ˈklam(p)-sē-ə 

: a serious condition developing in late pregnancy that is characterized by a sudden rise in blood pressure, excessive weight gain, generalized edema, proteinuria, severe headache, and visual disturbances and that may result in eclampsia if untreated compare eclampsia sense a, toxemia of pregnancy