birth-control pill

American  

[burth-kuhn-trohl] / ˈbɜrθ kənˌtroʊl /

noun

1. an oral contraceptive for women, containing the hormones estrogen and progesterone or progesterone alone, that inhibits ovulation, fertilization, or implantation of a fertilized ovum, causing temporary infertility.

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Etymology

Origin of birth-control pill

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

"It may be that the day will come when people say the birth-control pill was a mistake," Alan Sears explained.

From Salon • Oct. 9, 2023

If the FDA follows this advice, the medication, sold under the name Opill, will be the first birth-control pill available without prescription in the United States.

From Scientific American • May 12, 2023

“Finally!” writes columnist Nicole Brodeur upon news of the positive signs coming out of a study on a male birth-control pill.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 20, 2018

With the introduction of the birth-control pill, the legalization of abortion and a lessening of the stigma of unwed motherhood, the homes began closing.

From New York Times • Dec. 8, 2012

Just before I moved to New York, two historic events had occurred: the birth-control pill was invented and the first Julia Child cookbook was published.

From The New Yorker • Feb. 6, 2006