Pregnancy

Definition

Pregnancy refers to the period during which a woman carries a developing fetus inside her uterus, usually lasting about nine months in humans.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈprɛɡnənsi/
• Respelling: PREG-nuhn-see (with "PREG" as in "pregnant," "nuhn" as in "sun," and "see" as in "see")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈprɛɡnənsi/
• Respelling: PREG-nuhn-see (similar to American English, with "PREG" as in "pregnant," "nuhn" as in "sun," and "see" as in "see")

In both dialects, "pregnancy" is pronounced with the stress on the first syllable, "PREG." The pronunciation remains consistent across both American and British English, clearly articulating the word with emphasis on the "PREG" part.

Etymology

The term "pregnancy" is derived from the Latin word "praegnantia," which means "condition of being with child." This in turn is derived from the Latin "prae-" meaning "before" and "gnasci" meaning "to be born."

Derivatives

• Pregnant
• Prenatal
• Postnatal
• Antenatal
• Pregnability

Synonyms

• Gestation
• Gravidity
• Maternity

Antonyms

• Sterility
• Infertility
• Nonpregnancy

Usage

"Pregnancy" is a term predominantly used in the medical, health, and societal contexts. It denotes the period during which a woman nurtures a developing fetus inside her body, marked by physiological and hormonal changes.

Related Terms

• Fetus
• Trimester
• Conception
• Birth
• Obstetrics

Detailed Definition

Noun

• The state or condition of having a developing embryo or fetus in the body, following conception and continuing until childbirth.
• Example: "She is in the early stages of pregnancy."

• The period during which this state or condition exists.
• Example: "The pregnancy lasted 40 weeks."

• A case or instance of being pregnant.
• Example: "Her pregnancy was smooth with no complications."