partial-birth abortion

[ pahr-shuhl-burth uh-bawr-shuhn ]

noun

1. (term used chiefly by opponents of abortion) dilation and extraction.

Word History and Origins

Origin of partial-birth abortion¹

First recorded in 1995–2000

Example Sentences

Anti-abortion opponents made the fight against what they labeled partial-birth abortion the centerpiece of their struggle during the 1990s and early 2000s.

From Slate

In the opening minutes of a debate during Sherrod Brown’s successful 2006 campaign for Senate, the Republican incumbent attacked him over “partial-birth abortion,” a phrase often weaponized by conservatives at the time to paint Democrats as somewhere between immoral and murderous.

From New York Times

“For many years, in Ohio and in this country, we’ve had a law that said a partial-birth abortion - where the child is partially delivered and then killed and then finally delivered - was illegal in Ohio,” the governor continued.

From Washington Times

“Partial-birth abortion” is a non-medical term for a procedure known as dilation and extraction, or D&X, which is already federally prohibited.

From Seattle Times

“It would allow a partial-birth abortion,” Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine told reporters recently as he explained his opposition to the constitutional amendment, known as Issue 1.

From Seattle Times