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

The most common contributing factors are obesity, pregnancy and postpartum changes, constipation and prolonged sitting on the toilet, which is getting lengthier due to cellphone use in the bathroom, Rezaie said.

From The Wall Street Journal

It began when Sarah found out she would be unlikely to have a healthy pregnancy.

From BBC

In the last months of each of Amy’s pregnancies, we made sure to turn the radio up a little louder.

From The Wall Street Journal

“You can have a breeding recommendation in place, but that doesn’t mean that you’ll be successful with the pregnancy and birth.”

From Los Angeles Times

This raises the possibility of an advantage over earlier strategies aimed at strengthening Down syndrome related brain circuits, which would have required action during very narrow windows in pregnancy.

From Science Daily