parturition

noun

par·​tu·​ri·​tion ˌpär-chə-ˈri-shən How to pronounce parturition (audio)
ˌpär-tyu̇-,
ˌpär-tə- How to pronounce parturition (audio)
: the action or process of giving birth to offspring : childbirth

Examples of parturition in a Sentence

parturition can sometimes proceed more quickly than anticipated
Recent Examples on the Web The process of parturition can be considered as equivalent to cosmonaut's/astronaut's transition from microgravitation back to Earth gravitation (G=1) during landing. Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 7 Mar. 2013 Few women can relate to platformed parturition, but most understand Ms. Haart’s quest for comfort. Katharine K. Zarrella, WSJ, 27 Oct. 2021 His mother paced the spacious birthing stall, working off the pains of parturition, with half the placenta, neatly tied up by an attending stable hand, still hanging out of her. William Finnegan, The New Yorker, 15 May 2021 Their physical needs were considered to be concerned only with conception and parturition. Longreads, 8 May 2018 The modesty costumes worn by the women of Gilead are derived from Western religious iconography — the Wives wear the blue of purity, from the Virgin Mary; the Handmaids wear red, from the blood of parturition, but also from Mary Magdalene. Margaret Atwood, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'parturition.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin parturītiōn-, parturītiō "act of giving birth" (Late Latin, "bringing forth, travail"), from Latin parturīre "to be in labor, be ready to give birth" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at parturient

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of parturition was in 1646

Cite this Entry

“Parturition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parturition. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

parturition

noun
par·​tu·​ri·​tion ˌpärt-ə-ˈrish-ən How to pronounce parturition (audio) ˌpär-chə- How to pronounce parturition (audio)

Medical Definition

parturition

noun
: the action or process of giving birth to offspring : childbirth
parturitional adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on parturition

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