contraception

American  

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

noun

• contraceptions
  plural

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.

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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

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contraception Cultural  

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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• contraceptions
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of contraception

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

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Explanation

Contraception is birth control, to put it bluntly; the general term for the use of a number of devices or acts that prevent impregnation during intercourse. The word is formed by mashing together the Latin word contra, meaning "against" and a shortened form of the old French word concepcion, meaning "conception" — in other words: "against conception." Like so many scientific terms it was first coined in the nineteenth century, when the science of birth control was beginning to be seriously considered. Contraceptives — birth control devices — that had been around in cruder forms, began to be mass-produced and eventually socially accepted.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

contraception

Kristin Malin, who lives in Georgetown and attended the event Monday, said she recalled the time before unmarried women could access even contraception.

From Salon ● Oct. 12, 2026

The system would cover hospital and physician services, most prescription drugs, mental health and substance abuse treatment, dental and vision services, long-term care and gender affirming and reproductive care such as contraception and abortions.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026

Greenland's justice minister has said the government cannot conclude whether genocide was committed against the Inuit community after experts examined the use of forced contraception in the 1960s and 70s.

From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2026

A Greenlandic commission is to present a highly anticipated report Friday to determine whether Denmark's forced contraception of thousands of the Arctic island's indigenous Inuit constituted a "genocide".

From Barron's ● Aug. 28, 2026

First, the subject of contraception has been kept in the dark, even in medical colleges and in hospitals.

From Woman and the New Race by Margaret Sanger

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Related Words

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

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