abortion
The medical termination of a pregnancy before the fetus is capable of independent life. It can also describe the premature failure or ending of a plan, project, or mission.
Examples
3 of 5She spent a long time thinking before deciding to have an abortion.
She took a lot of time to consider her decision regarding the termination of her pregnancy.
The government is considering new legislation regarding abortion rights and access.
The authorities are reviewing new laws concerning the rights to and availability of pregnancy termination services.
I heard she had an abortion last year when things were rough.
I was told she went through a pregnancy termination procedure a year ago during a difficult time.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'Abort' button on a computer; it stops a process immediately before it finishes its intended goal.
Quick Quiz
The Supreme Court spent months debating the legality of ______ in the state.
Correct!
The correct answer is: abortion
Examples
She spent a long time thinking before deciding to have an abortion.
everydayShe took a lot of time to consider her decision regarding the termination of her pregnancy.
The government is considering new legislation regarding abortion rights and access.
formalThe authorities are reviewing new laws concerning the rights to and availability of pregnancy termination services.
I heard she had an abortion last year when things were rough.
informalI was told she went through a pregnancy termination procedure a year ago during a difficult time.
The paper analyzes the correlation between socioeconomic status and abortion rates.
academicThe academic document examines how social and economic standing relates to the frequency of pregnancy terminations.
The launch was an absolute abortion due to technical failures in the early stages.
businessThe start of the project was a total failure because of technical problems that happened right at the beginning.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
abortion on demand
the availability of termination without specific restrictions
pro-choice
supporting the legal right to choose an abortion
pro-life
opposing the practice of abortion
Often Confused With
A miscarriage is a natural or spontaneous loss of pregnancy, whereas an abortion is typically an induced procedure.
Usage Notes
The word is highly sensitive and politically charged in many cultures. In medical contexts, 'spontaneous' is often added to distinguish natural loss from an induced procedure.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use the word metaphorically in professional settings where 'failure' or 'cancellation' might be more appropriate and less offensive.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'Abort' button on a computer; it stops a process immediately before it finishes its intended goal.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin 'abortio', from 'aboriri', meaning 'to miscarry' or 'to disappear'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many Western countries, abortion is a central issue in the 'culture wars,' involving debates between individual rights and religious or moral views.
Quick Quiz
The Supreme Court spent months debating the legality of ______ in the state.
Correct!
The correct answer is: abortion
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
ready
A2To be fully prepared for an action or an event. It describes a state where everything is set so that something can happen immediately without delay.
simple
A2Something that is easy to understand, do, or use because it is not complicated. It can also describe something that is plain and basic in style, without extra decoration.
physical
A2Relating to the body rather than the mind or feelings. It also describes things that exist in the real world and can be seen or touched.
general
A2Describing something that affects most people or things rather than being specific to one. It is also used to describe a broad understanding of a topic without focusing on small details.
environmental
A2Relating to the natural world of land, sea, air, plants, and animals. It is often used to describe things that involve protecting nature from damage caused by humans.
medical
A2Relating to the science of medicine and the treatment of injuries or diseases. It is used to describe things connected to doctors, nurses, and the healthcare system.
traditional
A2Following or belonging to the customs and beliefs that have been part of a group of people or a society for a long time. It describes practices that are done in the same way they have been done in the past rather than using new or modern methods.
private
A2Describes something that belongs to a specific person or group and is not for public use. It also refers to a place or conversation where others are not allowed to listen or watch.
difficult
A2Something that is hard to do, understand, or deal with because it requires a lot of effort or skill. It can also describe a person who is not easy to please or work with.
religious
A2Describes someone who has a strong belief in a god or a group of gods and follows the practices of a religion. It can also refer to things that are connected with or related to a particular religion.
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