contraceptive pill

noun

plural contraceptive pills
: any of various preparations that typically contain a progestin either alone or in combination with an estrogen, are taken orally especially on a daily basis, and act as contraceptives (see contraceptive entry 1) by preventing ovulation, thickening cervical mucus, or thinning uterine lining : birth control pill

Examples of contraceptive pill in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The company had hoped for a contraceptive pill, not a cancer treatment, and tamoxifen didn’t work for contraception. Katie Hafner, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2024 When Pelton was 16, she was put on a contraceptive pill. Joel Khalili, WIRED, 4 Apr. 2023 The availability of the contraceptive pill on one hand, combined with the persistence of traditional marital expectations on the other, meant that the mid-1960s was a complex time for young women looking to mingle. Tacita Quinn, CNN, 29 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of contraceptive pill was in 1922

Dictionary Entries Near contraceptive pill

Cite this Entry

“Contraceptive pill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contraceptive%20pill. Accessed 20 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

contraceptive pill

noun
: any of various preparations that typically contain a progestin (such as norethindrone or levonorgestrel) either alone or in combination with an estrogen (such as ethinyl estradiol or mestranol), are taken orally especially on a daily basis, and act as contraceptives (see contraceptive entry 1) by preventing ovulation, thickening cervical mucus, or thinning uterine lining : birth control pill
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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