pregnant

adjective

preg·​nant ˈpreg-nənt 

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

• big
• caught
• enceinte
• expectant
• expecting
• gone
• gravid
• heavy
• quick [archaic]

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

But over 20 people died, among them four children and a pregnant woman. —CBS News, 8 Dec. 2024

Can Cinnamon Contribute to Elevated Blood Lead Levels? Because of lead’s effects on development in early life, the greatest concern is for exposure in young children and pregnant women. —Katarzyna Kordas, Discover Magazine, 7 Dec. 2024

In another violent incident at a Massachusetts shelter, a pregnant woman was allegedly raped and assaulted at a different hotel shelter in July by 34-year-old Haitian national Marc Kervens Beauvais, per the Boston Globe. —Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 7 Dec. 2024

This bacterium can cause listeriosis, a severe and sometimes fatal illness, especially dangerous for pregnant individuals, newborns, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024

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

Kids Definition

pregnant

adjective

preg·​nant ˈpreg-nənt 

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 

: containing a developing embryo, fetus, or unborn offspring within the body : gestating, gravid