pregnant

adjective

preg·​nant ˈpreg-nənt 

1

: containing a developing embryo, fetus, or unborn offspring within the body : gravid

2

: full, teeming

3

: rich in significance or implication

the pregnant phrases of the Bible

—Edmund Wilson

a pregnant pause

4

: having possibilities of development or consequence : involving important issues : momentous

draw inspiration from the heroic achievements of that pregnant age

—Kemp Malone

5

: abounding in fancy, wit, or resourcefulness : inventive

all this has been said … by great and pregnant artists

—The Times Literary Supplement (London)

6

archaic : cogent

7

obsolete : inclined, disposed

your own most pregnant and vouchsafed ear

—William Shakespeare

pregnantly adverb

Synonyms

• expecting
• expectant
• with young
• with child
• caught

Examples of pregnant in a Sentence

She got pregnant soon after her marriage.

There was a pregnant pause before the winner was announced.

Recent Examples on the Web

Some of the presentation seemed to directly challenge the recent decision by Kennedy and the Trump administration to remove the recommendation to vaccinate healthy children and pregnant women. —Will Stone, NPR, 25 June 2025

That adorable announcement features 2-year-old Koa kissing his mother’s pregnant belly, with J.J. standing by Kealia’s side. —Clea Haran, Parents, 25 June 2025

Twenty-four years later, Townsend had that same experience, playing professionally on the WTA Tour while pregnant with her baby boy. —Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025

After Orange County prosecutors appealed his original five-year sentence, a man who chased, threatened and yelled racial slurs at a pregnant Black woman will be resentenced, facing a maximum sentence between 38 years to life in state prison. —Andrea Klick, Oc Register, 24 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin praegnant-, praegnans carrying a fetus, alteration of praegnas, from prae- pre- + -gnas (akin to gignere to give birth to) — more at kin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 6

Rhymes for pregnant

• regnant
• nonpregnant

Kids Definition

pregnant

adjective

preg·​nant ˈpreg-nənt 

1

: containing a developing embryo, fetus, or unborn offspring within the body

2

: full of meaning

a pregnant pause

pregnantly adverb

Medical Definition

pregnant

adjective

preg·​nant ˈpreg-nənt 

: containing a developing embryo, fetus, or unborn offspring within the body : gestating, gravid