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abortion

noun
abor·​tion | \ ə-ˈbȯr-shən How to pronounce abortion (audio) \

Definition of abortion

1 : the termination of a pregnancy after, accompanied by, resulting in, or closely followed by the death of the embryo or fetus: such as
a : spontaneous expulsion of a human fetus during the first 12 weeks of gestation — compare miscarriage
b : induced expulsion of a human fetus
c : expulsion of a fetus by a domestic animal often due to infection at any time before completion of pregnancy — compare contagious abortion
2a : a misshapen thing or person : monstrosity
b informal + sometimes offensive : something regarded as horrifically or disgustingly bad
3 : arrest of development (as of a part or process) resulting in imperfection also : a result of such arrest
Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about abortion

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Examples of abortion in a Sentence

a doctor who performs abortions She chose to have an abortion.

First Known Use of abortion

circa 1537, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for abortion

borrowed from Latin abortiōn-, abortiō, from aborīrī "to miscarry, abort entry 1" + -tiōn-, tiō, suffix of action nouns

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More Definitions for abortion

abortion

noun
How to pronounce abortion (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of abortion

: a medical procedure used to end a pregnancy and cause the death of the fetus

See the full definition for abortion in the English Language Learners Dictionary

abortion

noun
abor·​tion | \ ə-ˈbȯr-shən How to pronounce abortion (audio) \

Medical Definition of abortion

1 : the termination of a pregnancy after, accompanied by, resulting in, or closely followed by the death of the embryo or fetus:
a : spontaneous expulsion of a human fetus during the first 12 weeks of gestation — compare miscarriage
b : induced expulsion of a human fetus
c : expulsion of a fetus of a domestic animal often due to infection at any time before completion of pregnancy — see contagious abortion, trichomoniasis sense b, vibrionic abortion
2 : arrest of development of an organ so that it remains imperfect or is absorbed
3 : the arrest of a disease in its earliest stage abortion of a cold

abortion

noun
abor·​tion | \ ə-ˈbȯr-shən How to pronounce abortion (audio) \

Legal Definition of abortion

1 : the termination of a pregnancy after, accompanied by, or closely followed by the death of the embryo or fetus especially : the medical procedure of inducing expulsion of a human fetus to terminate a pregnancy
2 : the crime of procuring or performing an illegal abortion a conspiracy to commit abortion— W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr. — see also Roe v. Wade and Webster v. Reproductive Health Services

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More from Merriam-Webster on abortion

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with abortion

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for abortion

Spanish Central: Translation of abortion

Nglish: Translation of abortion for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of abortion for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about abortion

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