pregnant

adjective

preg·​nant ˈpreg-nənt How to pronounce pregnant (audio)
Synonyms of pregnantnext
1
: containing a developing embryo, fetus, or unborn offspring within the body : gravid
2
: full, teeming
3
: rich in significance or implication
the pregnant phrases of the Bible—Edmund Wilson
a pregnant pause
4
: having possibilities of development or consequence : involving important issues : momentous
draw inspiration from the heroic achievements of that pregnant age—Kemp Malone
5
: abounding in fancy, wit, or resourcefulness : inventive
all this has been said … by great and pregnant artists—The Times Literary Supplement (London)
6
archaic : cogent
7
obsolete : inclined, disposed
your own most pregnant and vouchsafed ear—William Shakespeare
pregnantly adverb

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of pregnant in a Sentence

She got pregnant soon after her marriage. There was a pregnant pause before the winner was announced.
Recent Examples on the Web For Burke’s second IVF round, doctors transferred two embryos, and Burke became pregnant with twins. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2024 Anita Chabria: Supreme Court to pregnant women: Good luck with that. —Defne Karabatur, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pregnant 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pregnant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin praegnant-, praegnans carrying a fetus, alteration of praegnas, from prae- pre- + -gnas (akin to gignere to give birth to) — more at kin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 6

Time Traveler
The first known use of pregnant was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near pregnant

pregnancy test

pregnant

pregnate

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Cite this Entry

“Pregnant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pregnant. Accessed 4 May. 2024.

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Kids Definition

pregnant

adjective
preg·​nant ˈpreg-nənt How to pronounce pregnant (audio)
1
: containing a developing embryo, fetus, or unborn offspring within the body
2
: full of meaning
a pregnant pause
pregnantly adverb

Medical Definition

pregnant

adjective
preg·​nant ˈpreg-nənt How to pronounce pregnant (audio)
: containing a developing embryo, fetus, or unborn offspring within the body : gestating, gravid

More from Merriam-Webster on pregnant

Nglish: Translation of pregnant for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of pregnant for Arabic Speakers

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