pregnant

adjective

preg·​nant ˈpreg-nənt 

1

: containing a developing embryo, fetus, or unborn offspring within the body : gravid

2

: full, teeming

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

• big
• caught
• enceinte
• expectant
• expecting
• gone
• gravid
• heavy
• quick [archaic]

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

Researchers discovered that babies born to mothers who ate avocados while pregnant were 44 percent less likely to develop food allergies by their first birthday compared to those whose mothers did not consume the fruit. —Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025

People with asthma should meet with their prescribing provider before or shortly after becoming pregnant to discuss any necessary treatment changes. —Corinne Savides Happel, Verywell Health, 8 May 2025

Getty Images When journalist Amanda Hess was 7 months pregnant, a routine ultrasound revealed that her baby appeared to be sticking out his tongue. —Tonya Mosley, NPR, 8 May 2025

Her persistence reached its most profound test in 2016 when, six months pregnant with her daughter, doctors discovered a benign brain tumor. —Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 7 May 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