pregnant
adjective
preg·nant
ˈpreg-nənt 
1
: containing a developing embryo, fetus, or unborn offspring within the body : gravid
3
: rich in significance or implication
the pregnant phrases of the Bible—
Edmund Wilson
Edmund Wilsona 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
Kemp Malone5
: abounding in fancy, wit, or resourcefulness : inventive
all this has been said … by great and pregnant artists—The Times Literary Supplement (London)
The Times Literary Supplement (London)6
archaic
: cogent
pregnantly
adverb
Synonyms
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
After months of her food disappearing and unsuccessful attempts to stop the hungry colleague—including labeling her meals and leaving passive-aggressive notes—the pregnant woman tried a different approach.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
In one incident in Texas in 2020, a pregnant 19-year-old Guatemalan woman died after falling from the border wall, which ranges from 18 to 30 feet.
—Marni Lafleur, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2025
Listeria is especially harmful to people who are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or with weakened immune systems, according to the CDC.
—Kelly Tyko, Axios, 10 Feb. 2025
The shooting of the pregnant woman, Sundus Shalabi, happened in the Nur Shams urban refugee camp, a focal point of Israeli operations against Palestinian fighters in the territory.
—Tia Goldenberg, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pregnant 
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Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
In one incident in Texas in 2020, a pregnant 19-year-old Guatemalan woman died after falling from the border wall, which ranges from 18 to 30 feet.
—Marni Lafleur, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2025
Listeria is especially harmful to people who are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or with weakened immune systems, according to the CDC.
—Kelly Tyko, Axios, 10 Feb. 2025
The shooting of the pregnant woman, Sundus Shalabi, happened in the Nur Shams urban refugee camp, a focal point of Israeli operations against Palestinian fighters in the territory.
—Tia Goldenberg, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pregnant
Articles Related to pregnant
Dictionary Entries Near pregnant
Cite this Entry
“Pregnant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pregnant. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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