family planning

noun

1. the concept or a program of limiting the size of families through the spacing or prevention of pregnancies, especially for economic reasons.
2. (loosely) birth control.

family planning

noun

1. the control of the number of children in a family and of the intervals between them, esp by the use of contraceptives See also birth control

family planning

1. The use of education and birth control to limit the number of offspring and the population of a country. ( See population control and Margaret Sanger .)

Word History and Origins

Origin of family planning¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Bush was a strong supporter of family planning; running in the Republican primary for president in 1980, he told an interviewer that he would not support a constitutional amendment outlawing abortion.

From Los Angeles Times

He said he would prefer to see the government focus on family planning, sex education and policies that make it easier for women to raise children, including more affordable child care.

From Los Angeles Times

The conservative plan outlines dramatically slashing funding for family planning clinics and the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program.

From Salon

With training in complex family planning, she has experience seeing patients throughout all three trimesters of pregnancy.

From Salon

At issue was a federal program that since 1970 has provided grants to states for family planning programs.

From Los Angeles Times