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

He said the army is carefully planning "for the subsequent phases" of disarmament.

From Barron's • Dec. 28, 2025

And he had been carefully planning his splashy return.

From New York Times • Mar. 7, 2024

He realized at a young age he would have to use not only his abundant skills but his brain, carefully planning each step to gain any possible toehold or advantage.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 19, 2023

Foreign adversaries looking to take advantage of the anticipated personnel changes will find America’s tech leaders carefully planning to mind the store to prevent any vulnerabilities.

From Washington Times • Aug. 18, 2023

Ever since learning that Charlotte had a team going to the competition, Brooklyn had been carefully planning for this interaction.

From "City Spies" by James Ponti