Pregnancy: Definition, Signs & Week-by-Week Guide

Meaning 1：state of carrying a developing fetus (pregnancy)

pregnancy 🔊

/ˈprɛɡnənsi/

The state of having a baby growing inside a woman's body.

Pregnancy definition illustrated by a smiling woman gently cradling her pregnant belly in a sunlit room

state of carrying a developing fetus 🔊

➕

/steɪt əv ˈkæriɪŋ ə dɪˈvɛləpɪŋ ˈfiːtəs/

The condition in which a woman has a developing embryo or fetus inside her uterus.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'praegnantia', derived from 'prae-' (before) and 'gnasci' (to be born), meaning 'before birth'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'pre-' (before) and 'gnancy' (sounds like 'genesis'), so it's the state before the genesis of life.

📖 Example

She kept her pregnancy a secret until the third month, wanting to surprise her family at the holiday gathering. 🔊 She concealed her pregnancy until the third month to surprise her family during the holiday gathering.

🔗 Collocations

unplanned pregnancy – a pregnancy that occurs without prior intention

pregnancy test – a medical test to determine if a woman is pregnant

pregnancy symptoms – physical signs indicating pregnancy, such as nausea or fatigue

🔄 Synonyms

gestation (n.) – the process of carrying a developing fetus, often used in biological contexts

expectancy (n.) – in the context of pregnancy, refers to the state of expecting a child

gravidness (n.) – a less common term for the state of being pregnant

🚫 Antonyms

infertility (n.) – the inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term

🌱 Derivatives

pregnant (adj.) – carrying a developing fetus

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'pregnancy' originates from Latin 'praegnantia', describing the condition of carrying offspring. It is now a standard term in medical, legal, and social contexts related to reproduction.