Pronunciation: [pɹˈɛɡnənt] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "pregnant" can be confusing, as it contains several silent letters. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /ˈprɛɡnənt/. The "p" is pronounced, followed by a distinct "r" sound. The "e" is long, and the "g" is hard. The final three letters of the word, "nant", are all silent. Despite the unusual spelling of this word, its meaning is clear and easily understood by English speakers worldwide.
Pregnant is an adjective that refers to the condition or state of a female mammal, particularly a human or animal, that is carrying an embryo or fetus within her body as a result of sexual reproduction. It describes a stage in reproduction where fertilization has occurred, and the embryo has implanted itself in the uterus, initiating a series of physiological changes within the mother's body.
In humans, pregnancy typically lasts around nine months, divided into three trimesters. During this time, the body undergoes numerous modifications to accommodate the developing fetus, including hormonal changes, weight gain, and enlargement of the abdomen. Pregnant women may experience various symptoms such as morning sickness, fatigue, mood swings, and changes in appetite.
In terms of animals, pregnancy duration may vary significantly across species. Some animals have shorter gestation periods, while others can have pregnancies lasting several years. Throughout pregnancy, animals also undergo corresponding physiological transformations to support fetal growth, such as milk production in mammals that allows the mother to nourish her offspring.
Overall, being pregnant is a distinct biological condition that signifies the existence of new life within a female organism. It signifies a crucial and remarkable period of transformation and growth, both physically and emotionally, which culminates in the birth of offspring.
• A pregnant woman.
• Gravid, big with child; noting a female bearing within her the product of conception.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Being with child; breeding; fruitful; teeming; implying more than what is actually expressed.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "pregnant" originated from the Latin word "praegnans", which is a combination of "prae" meaning "before" or "in front of", and "gnasci" meaning "to be born" or "to beget". Therefore, the literal meaning of "praegnans" is "before born" or "before giving birth". Over time, the word evolved into English as "pregnant" with the same general meaning, referring to a female being in a state of carrying a developing embryo or fetus.
