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

The World Health Organisation said that when midwives were educated to international standards — and when midwifery includes family planning — they could prevent more than 80% of maternal deaths, stillbirths, and neonatal deaths.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 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 Johnson, Lyndon B. (Lyndon Baines)