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

Since 1980, Zimbabwe has made progress in educating women on family planning to reduce teenage pregnancy rates.

From Salon • Feb. 9, 2026

“Without family planning, you could have an increased number of women die because of deliveries, especially young women.”

From Salon • Feb. 9, 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

Affiliates rely on a variety of funding sources, including private donations, state Medicaid programs, family planning funds, and patient fees.

From Slate • Jul. 29, 2025

Family life becomes the subject of practical experiences involving family planning, health, psychology, socialized expectations of education, the right to die.

From The Civilization of Illiteracy by Nadin, Mihai