morning-after pill

noun

morn·​ing-af·​ter pill ˌmȯr-niŋ-ˈaf-tər- How to pronounce morning-after pill (audio)
variants or less commonly morning after pill
plural morning-after pills also morning after pills
: an oral drug usually containing high doses of estrogen that is taken up to usually three days after unprotected sexual intercourse or contraceptive failure to prevent or delay ovulation
The FDA-approved morning-after pill can reduce the chance of pregnancy after unprotected sex or failure of another contraceptive method like a condom, and is ideally taken within 72 hours. The pill … works by delaying ovulation or preventing implantation and cannot terminate a pregnancy.Parija Kavilanz
compare emergency contraception

Examples of morning-after pill in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The organisation got into some controversy earlier this year when Olivia handed out contraceptives and the morning-after pill at her concerts — the act was halted, likely due to backlash from conservatives. Allie Daisy King, refinery29.com, 9 May 2024 Advocacy is a core tenet for the brand, most notably seen through its Restart Donation Bank, which allows anyone to either donate $20 or redeem for free a dose of the morning-after pill. Emily Burns, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019 Recommended One is President Andrzej Duda, who holds veto power over legislation and who already last month vetoed a law that would have allowed over-the-counter access to the morning-after pill for girls and women ages 15 and above. Vanessa Gera, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Apr. 2024 At some shows, fans could grab free morning-after pills, condoms and lube; however, funds were reportedly asked recently to stop offering those items at concerts. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 25 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for morning-after pill 

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

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of morning-after pill was in 1964

Dictionary Entries Near morning-after pill

Cite this Entry

“Morning-after pill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/morning-after%20pill. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

morning-after pill

noun
morn·​ing-af·​ter pill ˌmȯr-niŋ-ˈaf-tər- How to pronounce morning-after pill (audio)
variants also morning after pill
: an oral drug typically containing high doses of estrogen that is taken up to usually three days after unprotected sexual intercourse or contraceptive failure to prevent or delay ovulation compare emergency contraception

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