birth-control pill

[ burth-kuhn-trohl ]

noun

1. an oral contraceptive for women, containing the hormones estrogen and progesterone or progesterone alone, that inhibits ovulation, fertilization, or implantation of a fertilized ovum, causing temporary infertility.

Word History and Origins

Origin of birth-control pill¹

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

One seven-year study of a Canadian lake documented the near extinction of one fish species after chronic, low exposures to a hormone commonly found in birth-control pills.

From Science News For Students

She says that she has asked for birth-control pills, but her church and family urged her to practice abstinence until marriage.

From Washington Post

But what if vasectomies were cheap, non-invasive, fully reversible, and as widespread as the female birth control pill?

From The Daily Beast

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the birth control pill.

From The Daily Beast

Not to mention the 80 percent of women in America who have had sex and used the birth control pill.

From The Daily Beast

Since January, 567 students received Plan B and 580 students received the birth control pill Reclipsen through the program.

From The Daily Beast