complication

noun

com·​pli·​ca·​tion ˌkäm-plə-ˈkā-shən 

1

a

: complexity, intricacy

especially : a situation or a detail of character complicating the main thread of a plot

b

: a making difficult, involved, or intricate

c

: a complex or intricate feature or element

d

: a difficult factor or issue often appearing unexpectedly and changing existing plans, methods, or attitudes

2

: a secondary disease or condition developing in the course of a primary disease or condition

Synonyms

• complexity
• complicacy
• convolution
• difficulty
• intricacy

Examples of complication in a Sentence

The negotiations stalled when complications arose.

Pneumonia is a common complication of AIDS.

She experienced complications during her pregnancy.

The patient died of complications from surgery.

Recent Examples on the Web

In the wake of the ruling, numerous reports have emerged of women dying or nearly dying from miscarriages or complications in dangerous pregnancies, as doctors were unable to intervene due to these bans. —Lizzie Hyman, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024

Losing Prescott is sure to add some huge complications for the offense, but the Cowboys have Cooper Rush and Trey Lance to lean on while Prescott heals. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

The complications come as Meta’s rivals Google, Amazon and Microsoft have all struck deals to acquire nuclear power plants to continue building power-hungry AI models. —Rashi Shrivastava, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

On December 16, 1859, Wilhelm died, at the age of seventy-three, following complications from back surgery. —Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English complicacioun, borrowed from Late Latin complicātiōn-, complicātiō "folding together, conglomeration," from Latin complicāre "to fold together, fold up" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at complicate entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

complication

noun

com·​pli·​ca·​tion ˌkäm-plə-ˈkā-shən 

1

a

: an act or instance of complicating something

b

: a situation or detail of character that complicates a plot

c

: a complex feature or element

d

: something that makes a situation more complicated or difficult

we were unable to agree when complications arose

2

: a disease or bodily condition existing at the same time as and affecting the course or severity of another disease or condition

Medical Definition

complication

noun

com·​pli·​ca·​tion ˌkäm-plə-ˈkā-shən 

: a secondary disease or condition that develops in the course of a primary disease or condition and arises either as a result of it or from independent causes