lightening

American  

[lahyt-n-ing] / ˈlaɪt n ɪŋ /

noun

Medicine/Medical.

1. the descent of the uterus into the pelvic cavity, occurring toward the end of pregnancy, changing the contour of the abdomen and facilitating breathing by lessening pressure under the diaphragm.

---

lightening British  

/ ˈlaɪtənɪŋ /

noun

1. obstetrics the sensation, experienced by many women late in pregnancy when the head of the fetus enters the pelvis, of a reduction in pressure on the diaphragm, making it easier to breathe

---

Etymology

Origin of lightening

First recorded in 1520–30; lighten ² + -ing ¹

Compare meaning

How does lightening compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• lightning vs. lightening

Example Sentences

The data, from the workforce analytics and productivity-tracking software company ActivTrak, found that AI is making workloads more intense, not lightening them.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

The BBC this month reported on the dangers posed by illegal skin lightening products and their prevalence.

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026

“If you think you’ve weathered the storm, we’re probably not through it all. If you can’t handle it, consider lightening up your positions,” he added.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 5, 2026

Gupta, Smyth and Armlovich have all publicly opposed a rent freeze, unless some other action is taken to ease landlord expenses like lightening property taxes or insurance costs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025

They sang, as we marched along, lightening the darkness for all of us.

From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo

Related Words

• alleviation
• assistance
• comfort
• happiness
• help
• maintenance
• reprieve
• respite
• satisfaction
• support