family planning

American  

noun

1. the concept or a program of limiting the size of families through the spacing or prevention of pregnancies, especially for economic reasons.

2. (loosely) birth control.

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family planning British  

noun

1. the control of the number of children in a family and of the intervals between them, esp by the use of contraceptives See also birth control

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family planning Cultural  

1. The use of education and birth control to limit the number of offspring and the population of a country. (See population control and Margaret Sanger.)

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Etymology

Origin of family planning

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Family planning benefits are offered to players who choose to focus on their careers during their prime competitive years, postponing children until their late 20s or early 30s.

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2025

Family planning procedures and products would continue to be available from pharmacies and private hospitals, however, and in public hospitals to women whose life was at risk, Barakati said.

From The Guardian • Jun. 15, 2020

Family planning education programs in other countries have had highly positive effects on limiting population growth rates and increasing standards of living.

From Textbooks • Sep. 6, 2018

Family planning is traditionally left to women in Kenya.

From BBC • Jul. 14, 2018

Family planning would help, too, and it was encouraging to see the Philippine Supreme Court approve a pioneering Reproductive Health Law last year.

From New York Times • Jan. 16, 2015