pregnancy

American  

[preg-nuhn-see] / ˈprɛg nən si /

noun

plural

pregnancies

1. the state, condition, or quality of being pregnant.

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pregnancy British  

/ ˈprɛɡnənsɪ /

noun

1. the state or condition of being pregnant

2. the period from conception to childbirth

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pregnancy Scientific  

/ prĕg′nən-sē /

1. The condition of carrying developing offspring within the body.

2. The time period during which this condition exists; gestation.

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Other Word Forms

• postpregnancy adjective

Etymology

Origin of pregnancy

First recorded in 1520–30; pregn(ant) ¹ + -ancy

Example Sentences

After finding out about his condition, he had surgery to treat it and became hyper-focused on taking lukewarm showers, minimizing cardio and taking supplements, but the changes didn’t result in a pregnancy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

It also poses a serious risk during pregnancy.

From Science Daily • Apr. 6, 2026

Now, they are sharing their next chapter - pregnancy and parenthood - in a new three-part documentary.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

Steinfeld flaunted her pregnancy during the awards circuit earlier this year, cradling her baby bump at the red carpet for the Golden Globe Awards.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

Mom had to stay in bed for the last two months of the pregnancy.

From "Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World" by Ashley Herring Blake