pregnant

adjective

preg·​nant ˈpreg-nənt How to pronounce pregnant (audio)
Synonyms of pregnantnext
1
: containing a developing embryo, fetus, or unborn offspring within the body : gravid
2
: full, teeming
The moment was pregnant with excitement.
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

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
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.
In August 2024, Farwell was arrested and charged with killing Birchmore, who was pregnant at the time of her death. Matt Schooley, CBS News, 26 May 2026 The deep waters close to shore create a safe calving ground for pregnant mother whales, with an abundant buffet of giant squid the size of Mini Coopers. Adam Erace, Fortune, 24 May 2026 Even Nyro’s piano playing seems to shift in and out of focus, drawing our attention to the pregnant pause of a note fading in a quiet room. Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 24 May 2026 Correio da Manhã reported at the time that among the victims were five children, between the ages of 2 and 6, and a pregnant woman. Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 24 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for pregnant

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of pregnant was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pregnant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pregnant. Accessed 29 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

pregnant

adjective
preg·​nant ˈpreg-nənt How to pronounce pregnant (audio)
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 How to pronounce pregnant (audio)
: containing a developing embryo, fetus, or unborn offspring within the body : gestating, gravid

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