contraceptive
Americanadjective
-
tending or serving to prevent conception or impregnation.
-
pertaining to contraception.
noun
adjective
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of contraceptive
First recorded in 1890–95; contra- 1 ( def. ) + (con)ceptive ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
As well as anti-depressants, women can be offered the contraceptive pill and other contraceptives like the Mirena coil, which helps to regulate hormones.
From BBC ● May 16, 2026
Organon is best known for its Nexplanon contraceptive implant, but also offers fertility treatments and an expanding pipeline of biosimilars, Food and Drug Administration-approved versions of existing drugs.
From Barron's ● Apr. 27, 2026
Cornell University scientists have taken a major step toward developing a safe, reversible, long-acting and 100% effective nonhormonal male contraceptive, considered the holy grail of male contraception.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 7, 2026
In addition to their use as a contraceptive, the pills are prescribed for a variety of health issues, including preventing anemia from heavy periods and treating uterine fibroids.
From Salon ● Mar. 19, 2026
Ritual and ethical absention and the use of contraceptive drugs seem to have played the major part in maintaining this stability.
From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin
The asset-management firm agreed to buy a minority stake in Bayer’s long-acting reversible contraceptives business.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026
Kayla Healey, head of contraception at MSI Reproductive Choices says hormonal contraceptives can help with heavy periods or alleviating the symptoms of PMS.
From BBC ● Apr. 11, 2026
Currently there are no hormonal contraceptives for men although some gels and pills are being tested.
From BBC ● Apr. 11, 2026
Medicines eligible for refill include statins for high cholesterol, blood-pressure medications and contraceptives.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 23, 2026
—Gethenians tend to have their children young; most of them, after the age of twenty-four or so, use contraceptives, and they cease to be fertile in the female phase at about forty.
From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
