English edit

Etymology edit

Coined in the 20th century from contra- +‎ conceptive; compare the related contraception.

Pronunciation edit

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈkɒn.tɹəˌsɛp.tɪv/
  • (file)
  • Rhymes: -ɛptɪv

Adjective edit

contraceptive (comparative more contraceptive, superlative most contraceptive)

  1. That acts to prevent conception as a result of sexual intercourse.
    She was careful to take her contraceptive pill at the same time every day.
    • 1994, P. F. A. Van Look, Gregorio Pérez-Palacios, World Health Organization, Contraceptive Research and Development, 1984-1994: The Road from Mexico City to Cairo and Beyond:
      This has led to the selection of 4-guanidinobenzoates with either acetamenophen or ethylparaben as the phenol moiety for clinical evaluation, because they are orders of magnitude more contraceptive than nonoxynol-9 and less irritating to the vagina.

Derived terms edit

Translations edit

Noun edit

contraceptive (plural contraceptives)

  1. A mechanism or means by which conception as a result of sexual intercourse can be prevented or made less likely.
    Putting a pig's bladder over one's penis before intercourse is not a good contraceptive.
    • 2004, Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use, 2nd edition, World Health Organization:
      The document covers the following family planning methods: combined oral contraceptives (COCs), combined injectable contraceptives (CICs), progestogen-only pills (POPs), depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), norethisterone enantate (NET-EN), levonorgestrel implants, emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs), copper-bearing interuterine devices, levonorgestrel-releasing interuterine devices (LNG IUDs), fertility awareness-based methods, and sterilization.

Translations edit

French edit

Pronunciation edit

Adjective edit

contraceptive

  1. feminine singular of contraceptif