pregnancy

American  

[preg-nuhn-see] / ˈprɛg nən si /

noun

pregnancies plural

1. the state, condition, or quality of being pregnant.

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pregnancy British  

/ ˈprɛɡnənsɪ /

noun

1. the state or condition of being pregnant

2. the period from conception to childbirth

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pregnancy Scientific  

/ prĕg′nən-sē /

1. The condition of carrying developing offspring within the body.

2. The time period during which this condition exists; gestation.

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Other Word Forms

• postpregnancy
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of pregnancy

First recorded in 1520–30; pregn(ant) ¹ + -ancy

Explanation

Pregnancy is the state of being pregnant, the time a woman grows a baby in her belly. For humans, pregnancy lasts about nine months, during which time the mother might want a chocolate chip and pickle sandwich. Get her one. Before a mother bear gives birth to a cub, or a mother cat has kittens, she goes through pregnancy. In humans, pregnancy is a time to prepare for a new baby while the mother-to-be does things like take special vitamins and choose a doctor or midwife to assist with the upcoming birth. Bears and cats just go for it. Pregnancy comes from the Latin praegnans, "with child" or "before birth," from prae-, "before," and gnasci, "be born."

Example Sentences

Research has shown that all of these drugs can be combined with misoprostol to safely and effectively terminate a pregnancy.

From Slate • May 18, 2026

Unknown to her, the malignancy metastasized during her pregnancy.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

Past attempts to address pregnancy leave had been vetoed by governors Jerry Brown and Newsom.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

Mifepristone is one of two drugs used in medication abortions, the most common method of ending a pregnancy.

From Salon • May 13, 2026

Soon after hearing the news about Alicia’s pregnancy, Wes met another girl.

From "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" by Wes Moore