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

Setareh notes that reproductive history is also key here and that women who experienced early menopause, gestational hypertension and preeclampsia should consider this test, too, because these conditions all increase their risk for heart disease. —Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 17 Oct. 2025

Conditions included premature rupture of the membrane, cardiac disease and preeclampsia, according to the state report. —Jessie Balmert, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Oct. 2025

Meanwhile, the review also showed there was no uptick in cases of maternal pregnancy complications (like hypertension, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes) among those who received the COVID-19 vaccine versus those who didn’t. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 26 Sep. 2025

And at about 18 weeks during her anatomy scan, Eloise was measuring small, and the doctors became concerned that Julia was developing preeclampsia. —Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025

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