CONTRACEPTIVE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does contraceptive mean? 

• CONTRACEPTIVE (noun)
  The noun CONTRACEPTIVE has 1 sense:

1. an agent or device intended to prevent conception

  Familiarity information: CONTRACEPTIVE used as a noun is very rare.

• CONTRACEPTIVE (adjective)
  The adjective CONTRACEPTIVE has 1 sense:

1. capable of preventing conception or impregnation

  Familiarity information: CONTRACEPTIVE used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CONTRACEPTIVE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An agent or device intended to prevent conception

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

birth control device; contraceptive; contraceptive device; preventative; preventive; prophylactic device

Hypernyms ("contraceptive" is a kind of...):

device (an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "contraceptive"):

cervical cap (a contraceptive device consisting of a small thimble-shaped cup that is placed over the uterine cervix to prevent the entrance of spermatozoa)

coil (a contraceptive device placed inside a woman's womb)

condom; prophylactic; rubber; safe; safety (contraceptive device consisting of a sheath of thin rubber or latex that is worn over the penis during intercourse)

contraceptive diaphragm; diaphragm; pessary (a contraceptive device consisting of a flexible dome-shaped cup made of rubber or plastic; it is filled with spermicide and fitted over the uterine cervix)

intrauterine device; IUD (contraceptive device consisting of a piece of bent plastic or metal that is inserted through the vagina into the uterus)

morning-after pill (a large dose of estrogen taken orally within 24 to 72 hours after intercourse; prevents implantation of a fertilized ovum and so acts as a contraceptive; commonly used after rape or incest)

anovulant; anovulatory drug; birth control pill; contraceptive pill; oral contraceptive; oral contraceptive pill; pill (a contraceptive in the form of a pill containing estrogen and progestin to inhibit ovulation and so prevent conception)

spermatocide; spermicide (a contraceptive agent that kills spermatozoa)

• CONTRACEPTIVE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Capable of preventing conception or impregnation

Synonyms:

antifertility; contraceptive; prophylactic

Context example:

contraceptive devices and medications

Similar:

protective (intended or adapted to afford protection of some kind)

 Context examples 

Metabolized by the liver to ethynyl estradiol, mestranol serves as the estrogen component in several combination oral contraceptives.

(Mestranol, NCI Thesaurus)

Levonorgestrel is a type of oral contraceptive.

(Levonorgestrel, NCI Dictionary)

L-norgestrel is a type of oral contraceptive.

(L-norgestrel, NCI Dictionary)

A synthetic progestational agent similar to the endogenous progesterone used in hormone therapy or as a female contraceptive.

(Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate, NCI Thesaurus)

Most oral contraceptives include estrogen and progestin.

(Oral contraceptive pill, NCI Dictionary)

The oral contraceptive preparation contains a combination of an estrogen, such as ethinyl estradiol, and a progestagen, such as levonorgestrel or norethidrone.

(Oral Contraceptive Preparation, NCI Thesaurus)

Plan B is a type of oral contraceptive.

(Plan B, NCI Dictionary)

A receptacle for holding something (e.g., that into which some oral contraceptive blister packs are placed).

(Packaging Case, NCI Thesaurus)

An oral preparation combination containing the semisynthetic estrogen ethinyl estradiol and the synthetic progestagen norgestimate with contraceptive activity.

(Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestimate, NCI Thesaurus)

This agent also inhibits cell-signaling enzymes, resulting in inhibition of cell growth, and may act as a male contraceptive.

(Gossypol, NCI Thesaurus)