pregnant

adjective

preg·​nant ˈpreg-nənt 

1

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

2

: full, teeming

The moment was pregnant with excitement.

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 of pregnant

• 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

Ejaculation is still possible, but the fluid does not contain sperm, so there is minimal risk of getting a partner pregnant. —Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026

Among those killed by the interception was Asil Samir Masalmeh, 32, whom the ministry said was six months pregnant. —CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that pregnant women receive an RSV vaccine from weeks 32 through 36 of their pregnancies, from September through January, which can help protect their babies after they’re born. —Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026

The show’s one and only joke is that the story is played more or less straight and true to the language of soap operas with pregnant pauses, cheesy music cues, and melodramatic reveals — which is funny for a few scenes before turning into a laughless bore. —Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026

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