emergency contraception

American  

[ih-mur-juhn-see kon-truh-sep-shuhn] / ɪˈmɜr dʒən si ˌkɒn trəˈsɛp ʃən /

noun

1. a method for preventing pregnancy taken or used after sexual intercourse has already occurred, usually because other methods were unavailable or rendered ineffective.

   If you've had unprotected sex recently and have missed pills from the first seven days of your pack, you may need emergency contraception.

---

Etymology

Origin of emergency contraception

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Campaigners have long argued that requiring a prescription deterred younger women and rape victims from accessing emergency contraception.

From BBC • Oct. 20, 2025

The vast majority of the prescriptions filled in the country are for generic drugs, from penicillin to blood thinners to emergency contraception, and many of those come from overseas, including India and China.

From Salon • Jun. 18, 2025

Mary Ziegler, a leading historian of contraception and abortion policies who was not involved in the survey, said the findings suggest emergency contraception has become more popular than barrier methods for some women.

From Washington Times • Dec. 14, 2023

The oral levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive pill is one of the most popular choices of emergency contraception and is widely used in most countries.

From Science Daily • Oct. 20, 2023

Scientists tracked 836 women at a Hong Kong clinic between 2018 and 2022 who had unprotected sex and requested emergency contraception within three days.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 16, 2023