Showing results for pro-life. Search instead for work-life.

pro-life

American

[proh-lahyf] / proʊˈlaɪf /

adjective

opposed to legalized abortion; right-to-life.

pro-life British

adjective

(of an organization, pressure group, etc) supporting the right to life of the unborn; against abortion, experiments on embryos, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

pro-lifer

noun

Etymology

Origin of pro-life

First recorded in 1960–65

Compare meaning

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

pro-life vs. pro-choice

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Even self-identified pro-life voters’ views on abortion tend to be complex.

From Slate • May 5, 2026

The petitioner on Tuesday is First Choice, which runs five pro-life pregnancy centers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 1, 2025

His presidential record, however, reflected a staunchly pro-life position.

From Salon • Oct. 4, 2024

Mississippi enacted expanded tax credits for pro-life pregnancy centers and adoption.

From Washington Times • May 14, 2023

Like Ronchetti, Christine Drazan describes herself as pro-life.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 9, 2023

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023