pregnancy

noun

preg·​nan·​cy ˈpreg-nən(t)-sē 

plural pregnancies

1

: the quality of being pregnant (as in meaning)

2

: the condition of being pregnant : gestation

3

: an instance of being pregnant

Synonyms

• family way
• gestation
• gravidity

Examples of pregnancy in a Sentence

an elephant's pregnancy can last almost a year

Recent Examples on the Web

Overall employee interest in pregnancy and fertility resources jumped from 5% in 2022 to 13% in 2024. —Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 18 May 2025

Maria centers on an 18-year-old caregiver navigating poverty, pregnancy, and fractured family ties in a declining industrial port town. —Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2025

Apart from their 12-year age gap and unexpected pregnancy, Georgie and Mandy's romance experiences more tension because of the latter's previous relationship ties. —Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 16 May 2025

And for those wondering, their pregnancies were not planned! —Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 16 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pregnancy

• ectopic pregnancy
• false pregnancy
• phantom pregnancy
• pregnancy test
• tubal pregnancy

Kids Definition

pregnancy

noun

preg·​nan·​cy ˈpreg-nən(t)-sē 

plural pregnancies

: the condition of being pregnant : gestation

Medical Definition

pregnancy

noun

preg·​nan·​cy ˈpreg-nən-sē 

plural pregnancies

1

: the condition of being pregnant

2

: an instance of being pregnant