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

The new bill also creates a carve-out that allows a health care provider to treat someone who is pregnant, providing pregnancy testing, prenatal care and peripartum care. —Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 12 Mar. 2026

Sammartano was also working full-time in the finance industry while pregnant, and underwent dialysis six times a week for five hours each day. —Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that measles is one of the most contagious viral infections in the world and can be particularly dangerous for babies, young children, and pregnant and immunocompromised people. —Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 12 Mar. 2026

On Thursday, April 15, 1971, Francis sat at home with his wife, Ellie, who was nine months pregnant, and Marty Scorsese, back in New York to visit family, and turned the TV to NBC to watch the Academy Awards. —Paul Fischer, HollywoodReporter, 12 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