preeclampsia

American  

[pree-i-klamp-see-uh] / ˌpri ɪˈklæmp si ə /

Or pre-eclampsia

noun

1. Pathology. a form of toxemia of pregnancy, characterized by hypertension, fluid retention, and albuminuria, sometimes progressing to eclampsia.

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Etymology

Origin of preeclampsia

First recorded in 1920–25; pre- + eclampsia

Compare meaning

How does preeclampsia compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• preeclampsia vs. eclampsia
• toxemia vs. preeclampsia

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

preeclampsia

After Walker’s death, a medical examiner ruled that she died of hypertensive cardiovascular disease with preeclampsia, the latter of which is a dangerous pregnancy-related high blood pressure condition that doctors had identified in Walker.

From Salon ● Sep. 17, 2026

A woman who freezes her eggs at 30 and uses them at 40 still experiences pregnancy at 40, with the higher risks of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and cesarean delivery that accompany advanced maternal age.

From Slate ● Aug. 29, 2026

It regularly features interviews with Aliabadi’s famous patients and other celebrity doctors or authors who discuss everything from preeclampsia to egg-freezing.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 9, 2025

Currently preeclampsia is usually identified by symptoms, such as abnormally high blood pressure, which only appear in the second trimester of pregnancy.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 5, 2024

The researchers found that the mothers with preeclampsia had 389 epigenetic modifications to areas known as DNA methylation regions.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 5, 2024