contraception

American  

[kon-truh-sep-shuhn] / ˌkɒn trəˈsɛp ʃən /

noun

1. the deliberate prevention of conception or impregnation by any of various drugs, techniques, or devices; birth control.

   Patients in this study must agree to practice contraception for the duration of their participation.

2. a drug, technique, or device used to deliberately prevent conception or impregnation.

   You can also request free contraception by undergoing a simple, secure online consultation.

   Hormonal contraception, like any other medication, can interact with other drugs being taken.

---

contraception British  

/ ˌkɒntrəˈsɛpʃən /

noun

1. the intentional prevention of conception by artificial or natural means. Artificial methods in common use include preventing the sperm from reaching the ovum (using condoms, diaphragms, etc), inhibiting ovulation (using oral contraceptive pills), preventing implantation (using intrauterine devices), killing the sperm (using spermicides), and preventing the sperm from entering the seminal fluid (by vasectomy). Natural methods include the rhythm method and coitus interruptus Compare birth control family planning

---

contraception Cultural  

1. Any practice that serves to prevent conception during sexual activity.

---

Etymology

Origin of contraception

First recorded in 1885–90; contra- ¹ ( def. ) + (con)ception

Example Sentences

Americans may not be as religious as they were 50 years ago, and a majority no doubt don’t share the Little Sisters’ objection to contraception.

From The Wall Street Journal

That’s right: Digital contraception might sound like neo-futurist witchcraft, but the underlying idea is based on the age-old practice of temperature-based fertility tracking—and modernized by predictive algorithms and smart wearables.

From The Wall Street Journal

Dr. Erica Johnstone, a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist, said that hormonal birth control has many potential benefits beyond contraception, but that it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach.

From The Wall Street Journal

“We’re going to see an increase in unmet need for contraception, an increase in unintended pregnancies and, as a consequence of that, increases in maternal deaths,” Shaw said.

From Salon

"Maternal death rates are high, partly due to the fact that simple things like contraception are no longer available," he said, noting some potential mothers are "looking for and doing unsafe abortions."

From Barron's

Related Words

• abstinence
• condom
• contraceptive
• diaphragm
• family planning
• pill
• vasectomy