Word
abortion
Meanings
the ending of a pregnancy, either intentionally by medical means or unintentionally (a miscarriage)
a plan, process, or project that is stopped before it can be completed
Definition
Abortion is the ending of a pregnancy before the fetus can survive outside the uterus.
Abortion refers to the termination of a pregnancy, either through a medical procedure or with medication. People use the word in medical, legal, and social discussions, and it often carries strong personal or political views. In general usage, it describes the outcome rather than the reasons behind it.
Examples
- The article examined how abortion policy varies across neighboring countries.
- I found the documentary on abortion persuasive, even though I disagreed with some of its assumptions.
- She said the decision about abortion was private and asked the group to respect her boundaries.
- They debated abortion in class, but they focused on evidence rather than personal attacks.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes use “abortion” to mean any birth control method, but it specifically refers to ending an existing pregnancy.
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