emergency contraception

[ ih-mur-juhn-see kon-truh-sep-shuhn ]

noun

1. a method for preventing pregnancy taken or used after sexual intercourse has already occurred, usually because other methods were unavailable or rendered ineffective: morning-after pill ( def ).

   If you've had unprotected sex recently and have missed pills from the first seven days of your pack, you may need emergency contraception.

Word History and Origins

Origin of emergency contraception¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

State legislation: In February, an Oklahoma state representative introduced a bill that he admitted was co-written with ADF; the legislation would have defined life as beginning at fertilization and banned emergency contraception, including IUDs prescribed for that purpose.

From Slate

These include some emergency contraception, substance-misuse services and free medicine delivery, which are commissioned by local authorities.

From BBC

And a Planned Parenthood mobile clinic offering “free vasectomies, medication abortion, and emergency contraception” was stationed near the DNC festivities.

From Los Angeles Times

The pill, the injection, the implant, IUDs, and emergency contraception are all reimagined, falsely as "abortion," which would make it illegal in many states.

From Salon

When asked why she won't support a bill to enshrine birth control as a right, she told CNN she objected to the bill covering Plan B emergency contraception, "which many folks on the right would consider abortive services."

From Salon