contraception

contraception — noun

1. the use of methods or products to prevent pregnancy, such as condoms, pills, or

1.nounB2
Definition

the use of methods or products to prevent pregnancy, such as condoms, pills, or devices that stop a fertilized egg from developing

Example

Eve discussed different types of contraception with her doctor before choosing a method.

collocation: types of contraception / methods of contraception

The clinic offers free contraception advice to teenagers and young adults.

collocation: contraception advice

Common collocations
  • types of contraception
  • methods of contraception
  • use contraception
  • reliable contraception
  • free contraception
  • contraception advice
  • contraception pill
  • access to contraception
Synonyms
  • birth control

    more informal and general; includes natural methods such as timing intercourse

  • contraceptive

    countable noun referring to a specific method or product

  • family planning

    broader term that includes decisions about when and how many children to have

Grammar Patterns

contraception + [verb] as singular

Usage Note

Contraception is an uncountable noun that refers to the general practice or set of methods. For a specific product or device, use the countable noun 'contraceptive' (e.g., 'She bought a contraceptive at the pharmacy').

Common Mistakes

She bought a contraception at the pharmacy.
She bought a contraceptive at the pharmacy.
'Contraception' is uncountable; use 'contraceptive' for a single product.
Contraception are available at the clinic.
Contraception is available at the clinic.
Even when referring to multiple methods, the noun is grammatically singular.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Contraception', 'birth control', 'contraceptive', and 'family planning' all relate to preventing or timing pregnancy, but they differ in scope and formality. 'Contraception' is a formal, clinical term for methods that prevent pregnancy, whether hormonal, barrier-based, or surgical. 'Birth control' is the everyday equivalent — wider in tone, covering the same methods but also natural approaches like fertility tracking. 'Contraceptive' is countable and refers to a specific product (e.g., a pill, a condom, an IUD), not the general practice. 'Family planning' is the broadest term: it includes contraception but also fertility treatment, timing of births, and decisions about the number of children. For example: 'The doctor explained several types of contraception.' 'Many teenagers do not have easy access to birth control.' 'She forgot to take her contraceptive that morning.'

birth controlcontraceptive ↗family planning

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • forms of contraception
  • methods of contraception
  • access to contraception
  • use of contraception

Prepositions

  • contraception for [young people]
  • contraception without [a prescription]

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Formed in English in the late 1800s from the Latin prefix 'contra-' (meaning 'against') and 'conception' (the beginning of pregnancy). The word emerged as the medical field began to name and study pregnancy-prevention practices as a distinct category.