preeclampsia

noun

pre·​eclamp·​sia ˌprē-i-ˈklam(p)-sē-ə 

: a serious condition developing in late pregnancy that is characterized by a sudden rise in blood pressure, excessive weight gain, generalized edema, proteinuria, severe headache, and visual disturbances and that may result in eclampsia if untreated

preeclamptic

ˌprē-i-ˈklam(p)-tik 

adjective

Examples of preeclampsia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Severe obstetric complications, such as hemorrhage or severe bleeding and preeclampsia or a type of high blood pressure, are the leading causes of maternal deaths globally, according to the World Health Organization. —Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Nov. 2025

New York Times Maven is using AI to identify pregnancy risks like preeclampsia. —Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 14 Nov. 2025

While Madison developed preeclampsia and had to deliver her twins at 32 weeks. —Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Nov. 2025

Setareh notes that reproductive history is also key here and that women who experienced early menopause, gestational hypertension and preeclampsia should consider this test, too, because these conditions all increase their risk for heart disease. —Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 17 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for preeclampsia

• eclampsia

Medical Definition

preeclampsia

noun

pre·​eclamp·​sia ˌprē-i-ˈklam(p)-sē-ə 

: a serious condition developing in late pregnancy that is characterized by a sudden rise in blood pressure, excessive weight gain, generalized edema, proteinuria, severe headache, and visual disturbances and that may result in eclampsia if untreated compare eclampsia sense a, toxemia of pregnancy