contraception

noun

con·​tra·​cep·​tion ˌkän-trə-ˈsep-shən How to pronounce contraception (audio)
plural contraceptions
1
: deliberate prevention of conception or impregnation (as by the use of birth control pills, IUDs, condoms, coitus interruptus, vasectomy, or tubal ligation) : birth control sense 1
Barrier methods of contraception include condoms, diaphragms, and vaginal spermicides.Katherine M. Stone
Birth control pills are a type of contraception that is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy when taken consistently every day.Cleveland Clinic
… vasectomy … is the most effective and permanent contraception of all.James Kingsland
2
: devices or preparations designed to prevent conception
especially : devices or preparations (such as IUDs or birth control pills) that typically contain progestin either alone or in combination with estrogen and that prevent ovulation, thicken cervical mucus, or thin the uterine lining in order to prevent conception : birth control sense 2
In most states, insurers generally don't have to pay for contraception, but they do pay for Viagra. Andrew Stark
Pregnancy prevention, managing menstrual cramps, and treating irregular menstrual cycles were the most commonly cited reasons for wanting to use hormonal contraception. Miranda Hester
On Feb. 28, 2023, British Columbia was the first province to announce it would fund free prescription contraception for its residents. Bill Mah
see also emergency contraception compare contraceptive entry 1

Examples of contraception in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Neither of them were worried about the procedure, as young women are increasingly turning to IUDs as a form of contraception. Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024 There have historically been very few options for men looking for contraception, but that is now changing. Aya Spencer, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024 Read More: How American Women Could Lose the Right to Birth Control Women pressed for legal access to safe and effective birth control and, in 1960, the Food and Drug Administration approved the first oral contraception. Kali Nicole Gross / Made By History, TIME, 19 Sep. 2024 Ask your healthcare provider for the most suitable alternative contraception method for you. Mary Choy, Verywell Health, 11 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for contraception 

Word History

Etymology

contra- + (con)ception

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of contraception was in 1886

Dictionary Entries Near contraception

Cite this Entry

“Contraception.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contraception. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

contraception

noun
con·​tra·​cep·​tion ˌkän-trə-ˈsep-shən How to pronounce contraception (audio)
: deliberate prevention of conception and pregnancy especially by using a drug or a device (as a condom)

Medical Definition

contraception

noun
con·​tra·​cep·​tion ˌkän-trə-ˈsep-shən How to pronounce contraception (audio)
1
: deliberate prevention of conception or impregnation (as by the use of birth control pills, IUDs, condoms, coitus interruptus, vasectomy, or tubal ligation) : birth control sense 1
Condoms are the preferred method of barrier contraception because of their demonstrated ability to decrease HIV transmission.Mary A. Ott et al., American Academy of Pediatrics
2
: devices or preparations designed to prevent conception
especially : devices or preparations (as IUDs or birth control pills) that typically contain progestin either alone or in combination with estrogen and that prevent ovulation, thicken cervical mucus, or thin the uterine lining in order to prevent conception : birth control sense 2
Oral hormonal contraception, universally known as "the pill," is in fact represented today by a variety of methods using either estrogen-progestin combinations or progestins alone. A number of new routes of administration have also been researched and several of these new modalities have reached the market. Giuseppe Benagiano et al., Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
see also emergency contraception compare contraceptive entry 1 sense 1
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