abortion

American  

[uh-bawr-shuhn] / əˈbɔr ʃən /

noun

1. Also called voluntary abortion.  the removal of an embryo or fetus from the uterus in order to end a pregnancy.

2. any of various surgical methods for terminating a pregnancy, especially during the first six months.

3. Also called spontaneous abortion.  miscarriage.

4. an immature and nonviable fetus.

5. abortus.

6. any malformed or monstrous person, thing, etc.

7. Biology. the arrested development of an embryo or an organ at a more or less early stage.

8. the stopping of an illness, infection, etc., at a very early stage.

9. Informal.

   1. shambles; mess.

   2. anything that fails to develop, progress, or mature, as a design or project.

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abortion British  

/ əˈbɔːʃən /

noun

1. an operation or other procedure to terminate pregnancy before the fetus is viable

2. the premature termination of pregnancy by spontaneous or induced expulsion of a nonviable fetus from the uterus

3. the products of abortion; an aborted fetus

4. the arrest of development of an organ

5. a failure to develop to completion or maturity

   the project proved an abortion

6. a person or thing that is deformed

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abortion Scientific  

/ ə-bôr′shən /

1. Induced termination of pregnancy, involving destruction of the embryo or fetus.

2. Any of various procedures that result in such termination.

3. Spontaneous abortion; miscarriage.

4. Cessation of a normal or abnormal process before completion.

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abortion ¹ Cultural  

1. 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.)

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abortion ² Cultural  

1. 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.

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Discover More

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.)

Other Word Forms

• abortional adjective
• postabortion adjective

Etymology

Origin of abortion

First recorded in 1540–50, abortion is from the Latin word abortiōn- (stem of abortiō ). See abort, -ion

Example Sentences

Reporting on abortion and women’s health could be found largely in the Style section.

From Slate • Mar. 31, 2026

Besides the governor, Stratton had the endorsement of the junior Democratic senator from Illinois, Tammy Duckworth, and Emily’s List, an organization dedicated to backing candidates who support abortion rights.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

A report in 2024 from the National Centre for Social Research, a UK charity, compared abortion attitudes in Britain in the US.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2026

The 18-year-old, whom the BBC is calling Olivia to protect her anonymity, was getting ready to sit her A-levels when she had the abortion in 2025.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2026

Until 1966, Romania had had one of the most liberal abortion policies in the world.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt

Related Words

• miscarriage