pregnancy

noun

ˈpreg-nən(t)-sē How to pronounce pregnancy (audio)
Definition of pregnancynext
as in gestation
the state of containing unborn young within the body an elephant's pregnancy can last almost two years

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pregnancy It’s often deployed in monitoring the development of a fetus during pregnancy and can have diagnostic uses as well. — Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 Many hijinks ensue, including a trip to Persia, a secret pregnancy, many threats to the life and chastity of the young couple, and a war in Egypt that unexpectedly solves everyone’s problems. — Literary Hub, 30 June 2026 Their big family update came after a difficult year for the parents, who publicly shared that Natalie experienced three pregnancy losses in 2025. — Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026 Formulated by fertility doctors and OB-GYNs, the clean, vegan formula is designed to support women through every stage of life, from preconception and pregnancy to postpartum and beyond. — Taylor Lane, Flow Space, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for pregnancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pregnancy
gestation
Noun
  • Applegate delivered her daughter, Alara, on May 29 at 23 weeks and 2 days of gestation, with the newborn weighing a little over 1 lb.
    — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026
  • The sustained gestation the placenta enabled supported larger, more metabolically expensive brains.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Definition of gestation

Browse Nearby Words

prefiguring
pregnancy
pregnant
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Cite this Entry

“Pregnancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pregnancy. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pregnancy

Nglish: Translation of pregnancy for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pregnancy

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