puerperium

noun

pu·er·pe·ri·um ˌpyü-ər-ˈpir-ē-əm

plural puerperia ˌpyü-ər-ˈpir-ē-ə

: the period between childbirth and the return of the uterus to its normal size

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from puerpera

First Known Use

circa 1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of puerperium was circa 1890

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Puerperium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puerperium. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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Medical Definition

puerperium

noun

pu·er·pe·ri·um ˌpyü-ər-ˈpir-ē-əm

plural puerperia -ē-ə

: the period between childbirth and the return of the uterus to its normal size

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