emergency contraception

[ ih-mur-juhn-see kon-truh-sep-shuhn ]

noun

1. a method for preventing pregnancy taken or used after sexual intercourse has already occurred, usually because other methods were unavailable or rendered ineffective: morning-after pill ( def ).

   If you've had unprotected sex recently and have missed pills from the first seven days of your pack, you may need emergency contraception.

Word History and Origins

Origin of emergency contraception¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

But medical science is clear: emergency contraception is not an abortifacient.

From The Daily Beast

Data that showed girls as young as 11 could correctly use emergency contraception.

From The Daily Beast

Then, in July, he vetoed a bill to allow over-the-counter access to emergency contraception.

From The Daily Beast