pregnant

adjective

preg·​nant ˈpreg-nənt How to pronounce pregnant (audio)
1
: containing a developing embryo, fetus, or unborn offspring within the body : gravid
2
3
: rich in significance or implication
the pregnant phrases of the BibleEdmund Wilson
a pregnant pause
4
: having possibilities of development or consequence : involving important issues : momentous
draw inspiration from the heroic achievements of that pregnant ageKemp Malone
5
: abounding in fancy, wit, or resourcefulness : inventive
all this has been said … by great and pregnant artistsThe Times Literary Supplement (London)
6
archaic : cogent
7
obsolete : inclined, disposed
your own most pregnant and vouchsafed earWilliam Shakespeare
pregnantly adverb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Greater Salt Lake police officers responded to a call from a Millcreek home that a man and his six family members had been held against their will by their pregnant daughter's boyfriend, Garcia. Charna Flam, People.com, 20 May 2025 Certain groups—like vegetarians, pregnant individuals, and people with gastrointestinal conditions—are at higher risk of a zinc deficiency and may benefit from a zinc-rich diet or supplementation. Karen Berger, Verywell Health, 19 May 2025 Russian authorities have restricted access to abortions and contraception and have even offered pregnant women payouts in a bid to encourage the population to have children. Isabel Van Brugen, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025 The Maternal and Child Health Crisis The impact of Gaza's food shortages falls with particular severity on pregnant women and children. Juwayriah Wright, Time, 19 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for pregnant

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of pregnant was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pregnant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pregnant. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

pregnant

adjective
preg·​nant ˈpreg-nənt How to pronounce pregnant (audio)
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 How to pronounce pregnant (audio)
: containing a developing embryo, fetus, or unborn offspring within the body : gestating, gravid

More from Merriam-Webster on pregnant

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