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

See Examples For:

family planning

The 29-year-old says that she's an "open book" on some subjects and wants to "share her journey" as she discusses both her upcoming wedding and family planning with equal comfort.

From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 13, 2026

“We know that family planning contributes directly to lowering maternal mortality,” Kinemo said.

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

Second, nations with food deficits must put more of their resources into voluntary family planning programs.

From State of the Union Address by Lyndon B. (Lyndon Baines) Johnson