pregnancy

noun

preg·​nan·​cy ˈpreg-nən(t)-sē How to pronounce pregnancy (audio)
plural pregnancies
1
: the quality of being pregnant (as in meaning)
2
: the condition of being pregnant : gestation
3
: an instance of being pregnant

Example Sentences

an elephant's pregnancy can last almost a year
Recent Examples on the Web Passive immunity means protection by antibodies created outside of an individual’s own body, whether from a drug such as palivizumab or from antibodies transferred from a pregnant person to a fetus during pregnancy. Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 20 Mar. 2023 More than 1,200: The number of women who died during pregnancy or shortly after childbirth in 2021, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chuck Todd, NBC News, 17 Mar. 2023 The heart, lungs and kidneys are all working harder during pregnancy. Roni Caryn Rabin, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2023 The number of women who died during pregnancy or shortly after rose 40% to 1,205 in 2021, compared with 861 in 2020 and 754 in 2019, the National Center for Health Statistics said Thursday. Sarah Toy, WSJ, 16 Mar. 2023 Rihanna is keeping things cool during her pregnancy. Marisa Sullivan, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2023 But now, there is mounting evidence of the importance of getting vaccinated for protection against serious illness and the risks of Covid-19 during pregnancy. Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 16 Mar. 2023 Advocates say the full year of coverage is critical to prevent maternal deaths and help Texans treat health issues identified during pregnancy. Allie Morris, Dallas News, 16 Mar. 2023 Researchers suspect a link to the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which surge during pregnancy and plunge after childbirth. Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2023 See More

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.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pregnancy was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near pregnancy

Cite this Entry

“Pregnancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pregnancy. Accessed 25 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

pregnancy

noun
preg·​nan·​cy ˈpreg-nən(t)-sē How to pronounce pregnancy (audio)
plural pregnancies
: the condition of being pregnant : gestation

Medical Definition

pregnancy

noun
preg·​nan·​cy ˈpreg-nən-sē How to pronounce pregnancy (audio)
plural pregnancies
1
: the condition of being pregnant
2
: an instance of being pregnant

More from Merriam-Webster on pregnancy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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