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 of pregnancy

• gestation

Examples of pregnancy in a Sentence

an elephant's pregnancy can last almost a year

Recent Examples on the Web

My skin showed the signs of my weight having cycled up and down so many times in my life, including for each of my pregnancies. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026

Contraception is critical to helping adolescent girls avoid unintended pregnancies and the risks of childbirth, particularly given Africa’s high maternal mortality rates, experts say. — ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026

An ultrasound may not immediately show where a pregnancy has implanted. — Dara Kass, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026

When the fetus was diagnosed with a heart defect and other serious anomalies, the parents asked Kelley to terminate the pregnancy. — Naomi Cahn, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026

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