What does contraception mean?
Contraception refers to the intentional prevention of pregnancy through the use of drugs, devices, surgical procedures, or behavioural techniques. The term covers a wide spectrum of approaches: hormonal methods such as the pill, barrier methods such as condoms, intrauterine devices, sterilisation, and so-called natural or fertility-awareness methods. Because it acts before or around the moment of conception rather than ending an existing pregnancy, contraception is distinct from abortion. The word is neutral in tone and appears routinely in medicine, public health, law, and everyday discussion of family planning. It derives from Latin roots meaning to conceive, and its very name signals its purpose as the deliberate opposite of conception. Debates over access, affordability, and education make contraception a recurring subject of social and political attention, but the word itself remains a straightforward descriptive term used across British and American English.
nounThe deliberate use of methods or devices to prevent pregnancy, especially as a means of birth control.
- The practice or methods of deliberately preventing pregnancy by interfering with conception or implantation.
"Access to reliable contraception has transformed reproductive health worldwide."
"She discussed contraception options with her doctor before starting the new medication."
"The clinic offers free counselling on emergency contraception."
The word is usually treated as a singular mass noun describing the practice; pluralising it is uncommon outside niche contexts referring to multiple contraceptive methods collectively.
"Various contraceptions were reviewed in the clinical guideline."
The word 'contraception' was coined in the 1880s — a deliberate opposite of 'conception', invented at a time when simply saying 'birth control' publicly could get you arrested.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of contraception
Contraception was coined in English in the late nineteenth century, formed from the prefix contra- ('against') combined with conceptio, from Latin concipere, 'to conceive'. Its creation is often credited to the American physician Charles Knowlton's circle and popularised by early birth-control advocates who needed a discreet technical term. Cognate words sharing the same root include conception, conceive, and conceptual, all tracing back to the Latin verb for taking in or forming an idea.
Related word forms
How contraception is actually used
Used almost exclusively in medical, public-health, and everyday reproductive-health contexts; it carries no strong register — acceptable in both formal and informal speech. In casual conversation people often say 'birth control' instead.
Easily confused with contraception
Conception is the fertilisation of an egg that begins a pregnancy, whereas contraception is the deliberate prevention of conception.