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.

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Etymology

Origin of emergency contraception

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it announced that the "morning after" pill - a form of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 countries - had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

From BBC

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

Emergency contraception is medication designed to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

From BBC

"Women across England face an unfair postcode lottery when seeking emergency contraception, with access varying dramatically depending on where they live," he said.

From BBC

Free emergency contraception is set to be available from pharmacies in England later this year.

From BBC