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.

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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

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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.)

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Etymology

Origin of family planning

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

For decades millions of Indian students have opted to study abroad, taking loans and using up family savings, mainly to migrate for better work opportunities.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

Health, family, savings, stuff that men rarely share, they discuss as if it were a controversial foul call.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2023

Economists say a robust stock market, growing home values and increased family savings have helped some people take risks and start a business.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 10, 2021

For every public dollar invested, the city expects a return of $15 to $20, generated through philanthropy, family savings, scholarships and investment returns.

From New York Times • Oct. 11, 2021

I’d sapped the family savings with Phalanxifor copays, and Mom couldn’t work because she had taken on the full-time profession of Hovering Over Me.

From "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green