family planning

American  

noun

1. the concept or a program of limiting the size of families through the spacing or prevention of pregnancies, especially for economic reasons.

2. (loosely) birth control.

---

family planning British  

noun

1. the control of the number of children in a family and of the intervals between them, esp by the use of contraceptives See also birth control

---

family planning Cultural  

1. The use of education and birth control to limit the number of offspring and the population of a country. (See population control and Margaret Sanger.)

---

Etymology

Origin of family planning

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

family planning

The Department of Health and Human Services posted new guidance for clinics that are dependent on Title X family planning services grants, which could affect clinics when they reapply for funding in January 2027.

From Salon ● Apr. 28, 2026

The World Health Organisation said that when midwives were educated to international standards — and when midwifery includes family planning — they could prevent more than 80% of maternal deaths, stillbirths, and neonatal deaths.

From BBC ● Apr. 23, 2026

Their furniture was all in the possession of the family planning officers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 13, 2026

Many couples born during China's family planning period -- each only children -- are now grappling with the responsibility of raising children while caring for two sets of ageing parents.

From Barron's ● Jan. 19, 2026

For family planning is the most important planning.

From The Good Housekeeping Marriage Book by William F. (William Frederick) Bigelow