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

Jessica, Dylan and & Christina Jessica Supliguicha was eight months pregnant when her husband Jorge was detained by ICE in September. —Carol Guzy, Miami Herald, 1 Jan. 2026

According to Harper’s Bazaar, Diana officiated the wedding as Leif crawled around and played at the altar, stealing the show from the groom and pregnant bride. —Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 1 Jan. 2026

Boston Globe via Getty Images New England Patriots player Christian Barmore is facing domestic violence charges, accused of assaulting his daughter's mother who is pregnant with his second child, according to a criminal complaint. —Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 31 Dec. 2025

The woman had been dating Barmore for more than three years, has a child with him, and was pregnant at the time with their second child, according to the Mansfield Police report. —Mike Toole, CBS News, 31 Dec. 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