abortion
[ uh-bawr-shuhn ]
/ əˈbɔr ʃən /
noun
QUIZZES
FOR LEXICAL ALIMENTATION, TAKE THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!
Nourish your vocabulary with a refresher on the words from the week of September 14–20, 2020!
Question 1 of 7
What does “blatherskite” mean?
Origin of abortion
OTHER WORDS FROM abortion
post·a·bor·tion, adjectiveWords nearby abortion
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for abortion
British Dictionary definitions for abortion
abortion
/ (əˈbɔːʃən) /
noun
an operation or other procedure to terminate pregnancy before the fetus is viable
the premature termination of pregnancy by spontaneous or induced expulsion of a nonviable fetus from the uterus
the products of abortion; an aborted fetus
the arrest of development of an organ
a failure to develop to completion or maturitythe project proved an abortion
a person or thing that is deformed
Derived forms of abortion
abortional, adjectiveCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medical definitions for abortion
abortion
[ ə-bôr′shən ]
n.
Induced termination of a pregnancy with destruction of the fetus or embryo; therapeutic abortion.
Any of various procedures that result in such a termination of pregnancy.
Spontaneous abortion.
Cessation of a normal or abnormal process before completion.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for abortion
abortion
[ ə-bôr′shən ]
Induced termination of pregnancy, involving destruction of the embryo or fetus.
Any of various procedures that result in such termination.
Spontaneous abortion; miscarriage.
Cessation of a normal or abnormal process before completion.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for abortion (1 of 2)
abortion
The deliberate termination of a pregnancy, usually before the embryo or fetus is capable of independent life. In medical contexts, this procedure is called an induced abortion and is distinguished from a spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) or stillbirth.
notes for abortion
Abortion laws are extremely controversial. Those who describe themselves as “pro-choice” believe that the decision to have an abortion should be left to the mother. In contrast, the “pro-life” faction, arguing that abortion is killing, holds that the state should prohibit abortion in most cases. Feminists (see feminism) (see also feminism) and liberals generally support the pro-choice side; Roman Catholics and Protestant fundamentalists generally back the pro-life side. (See Roe versus Wade.)
Cultural definitions for abortion (2 of 2)
abortion
The ending of pregnancy and expulsion of the embryo or fetus, generally before the embryo or fetus is capable of surviving on its own. Abortion may be brought on intentionally by artificial means (induced abortion) or may occur naturally (spontaneous abortion, which is commonly referred to as a miscarriage). (Compare stillbirth; see also family planning and population control.)
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.