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

Dolores Huerta, 95, who co-founded a labor organization with Chavez that would later merge with United Farm Workers, has also alleged she was raped by Chavez in the 1960s, which led to two pregnancies. —Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026

Moore's case is one of the first in Georgia of a woman being charged for terminating a pregnancy since the law was adopted in 2019. —ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026

There are a couple of factors that’ll determine how long caffeine stays in your body, including genetics, age and pregnancy. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 22 Mar. 2026

Anyone who has experienced a pregnancy loss can relate to the first phase. —Vaughan Bagley, Baltimore Sun, 22 Mar. 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