pregnancy

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noun preg·nan·cy \ ˈpreg-nən(t)-sē \

Definition of pregnancy

plural pregnancies

1 :the quality of being pregnant (as in meaning)

2 :the condition of being pregnant :gestation

3 :an instance of being pregnant

See pregnancy defined for English-language learners

See pregnancy defined for kids

Examples of pregnancy in a Sentence

an elephant's pregnancy can last almost a year

Recent Examples of pregnancy from the Web

Other initiatives seem to be on the administration’s chopping block, too, like family planning programs to combat the high rate of teen pregnancy.

— claire galofaro, The Seattle Times, "Trump won places drowning in despair. Can he save them?," 18 Aug. 2017
Here are some fast facts about the importance of Early Childhood learning and development: •Preschool can help combat crime, teen pregnancy and high school dropout rates.

— Cincinnati.com, "Column: Early childhood learning is important for all children," 18 Aug. 2017
Reid subpoenaed hospital records and confirmed the active pregnancy.

— carol robinson, AL.com, "Pregnant heroin user still on the run after skipping court appearance," 10 Aug. 2017
Researchers need to learn more about how pregnancy influences NAD levels in general, and what a healthy level is, Vander Heiden says.

— gretchen vogel, Science | AAAS, "Vitamin B3 could help prevent birth defects," 9 Aug. 2017
During their respective pregnancies, one had taken half a Valium, and another had smoked cannabis.

— madeleine kearns, National Review, "What a New Anti-Anti-Abortion Documentary Gets Wrong," 22 July 2017
The pregnancy complication effects around 3 to 5 percent of women in the U.S. every year, and can lead to kidney and liver damage, or even death.

— jessica mattern, Woman's Day, "Texas Pastor Asks For Prayers and a Miracle While Wife and Newborn Fight for Their Lives," 21 July 2017
What should pregnant women, women considering pregnancy, or people with a pregnant loved one know about maternal mortality in the U.S.?

— jen gann, The Cut, "The Woman Trying to Find Out Why So Many Americans Still Die in Childbirth," 18 July 2017
Given the symmetry between the new images, it’s safe to guess that photographer Awol Erizku—the artist behind the pregnancy announcement series—shot Sir and Rumi’s Instagram debut as well.

— vanityfair.com, "Beyoncé Finally Debuts Her Twins with Stunning New Instagram Portrait," 14 July 2017

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

First Known Use of pregnancy

15th century

pregnancy Synonyms

Synonyms

family way, gestation, gravidity

Related Words

conception; begetting, breeding, generation, procreation, siring, spawning

Near Antonyms

barrenness, infertility

PREGNANCY Defined for English Language Learners

pregnancy

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noun

Definition of pregnancy for English Language Learners

: the condition of a woman or female animal that is going to have a baby or babies : the condition of a pregnant woman or female animal

PREGNANCY Defined for Kids

pregnancy

play

noun preg·nan·cy \ ˈpreg-nən-sē \

Definition of pregnancy for Students

plural pregnancies

:the state of being pregnant

Medical Dictionary

pregnancy

play

noun preg·nan·cy \ ˈpreg-nən-sē \

medical Definition of pregnancy

plural pregnancies

1 :the condition of being pregnant

2 :an instance of being pregnant

Learn More about pregnancy

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pregnancy Spanish Central: Translation of pregnancy Nglish: Translation of pregnancy for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of pregnancy for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pregnancy

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pregnancy

Definition of pregnancy

From the M-W Editors

Examples of pregnancy in a Sentence

Recent Examples of pregnancy from the Web

First Known Use of pregnancy

pregnancy Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Phrases Related to PREGNANCY

Related Phrases

PREGNANCY Defined for English Language Learners

pregnancy

Definition of pregnancy for English Language Learners

PREGNANCY Defined for Kids

pregnancy

Definition of pregnancy for Students

Medical Dictionary

pregnancy

medical Definition of pregnancy

Learn More about pregnancy

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