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

Next, the researchers plan to do broader studies that can track exposure throughout pregnancy and examine whether the associations can be replicated across different populations. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2026

There’s a lot of love in the audience at Together Together, with some celebrating birthdays (Styles will often sing to them), weddings, pregnancies, or just any old Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday. — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026

Teen-pregnancy rates have dropped dramatically, women have far more educational and professional opportunities, and social norms that stigmatized childlessness have loosened. — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

In addition to training through her disorder, Brejcha has trained through two pregnancies and came into the studio only eight weeks after giving birth to her second child. — Monique John, CBS News, 21 Sep. 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