contraception
noun
con·tra·cep·tion
ˌkän-trə-ˈsep-shən 
plural contraceptions
1
: deliberate prevention of conception or impregnation (as by the use of birth control pills, IUDs, condoms, coitus interruptus, vasectomy, or tubal ligation) : birth control sense 1
Barrier methods of contraception include condoms, diaphragms, and vaginal spermicides.—
Katherine M. Stone
Katherine M. StoneBirth control pills are a type of contraception that is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy when taken consistently every day.—Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic… vasectomy … is the most effective and permanent contraception of all.—James Kingsland
James Kingsland2
: devices or preparations designed to prevent conception
especially
: devices or preparations (such as IUDs or birth control pills) that typically contain progestin either alone or in combination with estrogen and that prevent ovulation, thicken cervical mucus, or thin the uterine lining in order to prevent conception : birth control sense 2
In most states, insurers generally don't have to pay for contraception, but they do pay for Viagra. —Andrew Stark
Andrew Stark Pregnancy prevention, managing menstrual cramps, and treating irregular menstrual cycles were the most commonly cited reasons for wanting to use hormonal contraception. —Miranda Hester
Miranda Hester On Feb. 28, 2023, British Columbia was the first province to announce it would fund free prescription contraception for its residents. —Bill Mah
see also emergency contraception compare contraceptive entry 1
Bill Mah Examples of contraception in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Texas does not allow nurse midwives or nurse practitioners of pharmacists to directly prescribe contraception.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 17 July 2025
The scorecard tracked whether states have expanded Medicaid or enacted policies that require insurers to fully cover contraception.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 16 July 2025
Last year, the two affiliates provided care to over 100,000 people, distributed contraception to more than 60,000 individuals and administered more than 107,000 STI tests.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 8 July 2025
About 18 to 19% of the population uses sterilization as a form of contraception, says OB-GYN Dr. Nazaneen Homaifar, and sterilization rates among women increased following the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022, according to a Columbia University study.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for contraception
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Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 17 July 2025
The scorecard tracked whether states have expanded Medicaid or enacted policies that require insurers to fully cover contraception.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 16 July 2025
Last year, the two affiliates provided care to over 100,000 people, distributed contraception to more than 60,000 individuals and administered more than 107,000 STI tests.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 8 July 2025
About 18 to 19% of the population uses sterilization as a form of contraception, says OB-GYN Dr. Nazaneen Homaifar, and sterilization rates among women increased following the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022, according to a Columbia University study.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for contraception
Cite this Entry
“Contraception.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contraception. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
contraception
noun
con·tra·cep·tion
ˌkän-trə-ˈsep-shən
: deliberate prevention of conception and pregnancy especially by using a drug or a device (as a condom)
Medical Definition
contraception
noun
con·tra·cep·tion
ˌkän-trə-ˈsep-shən
1
: deliberate prevention of conception or impregnation (as by the use of birth control pills, IUDs, condoms, coitus interruptus, vasectomy, or tubal ligation) : birth control sense 1
Condoms are the preferred method of barrier contraception because of their demonstrated ability to decrease HIV transmission.—Mary A. Ott et al., American Academy of Pediatrics
Mary A. Ott et al., American Academy of Pediatrics2
: devices or preparations designed to prevent conception
especially
: devices or preparations (as IUDs or birth control pills) that typically contain progestin either alone or in combination with estrogen and that prevent ovulation, thicken cervical mucus, or thin the uterine lining in order to prevent conception : birth control sense 2
Oral hormonal contraception, universally known as "the pill," is in fact represented today by a variety of methods using either estrogen-progestin combinations or progestins alone. A number of new routes of administration have also been researched and several of these new modalities have reached the market. —Giuseppe Benagiano et al., Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
see also emergency contraception compare contraceptive entry 1 sense 1
Giuseppe Benagiano et al., Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences Love words? Need even more definitions?
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