What does gravid mean?
Gravid is a formal adjective meaning pregnant or carrying young. It is used in medicine and veterinary care to describe a pregnant person or animal, as in “a gravid patient,” and in zoology to describe a female whose body contains developed eggs. The word is uncommon in everyday speech but precise and sometimes chosen for its technical or literary tone. Gravid can also convey the condition of being full or heavily laden, especially with eggs. Its meaning is therefore broader than a simple reference to human pregnancy: it applies across animal life and to organisms at different reproductive stages. The word is especially useful in scientific and clinical contexts, where its formal character distinguishes it from the more familiar “pregnant.” Etymologically, it comes through Latin from gravis, “heavy,” connecting its reproductive sense with the idea of a body being heavily laden.
adjectivePregnant or carrying young. In biological contexts, it also means containing eggs or having a swollen abdomen filled with eggs.
- Pregnant; carrying young.
- Containing eggs or having an abdomen filled with eggs, especially in reference to female insects and other animals.
"The veterinarian confirmed that the cat was gravid and would give birth within a week."
"The clinic provided special care for the gravid patient during the final weeks of pregnancy."
"The entomologist observed that the gravid female had laid her eggs in the protected stem."
Gravid shares a root with gravity: both trace back to Latin gravis, meaning “heavy.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does gravid come from?
Gravid comes from Latin gravidus, meaning “pregnant” or “laden,” a word derived from gravis, “heavy.” The Latin adjective was borrowed into English for use in medical and zoological descriptions. Its relatives include gravity, gravitate, gravamen, and the “heavy” sense of grave.
Related word forms
How gravid is actually used
Gravid is formal and technical, especially in medicine, veterinary science, and zoology. It is not generally used in ordinary conversation as a substitute for “pregnant,” though it may be employed for stylistic effect.