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parturition: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

C2
UK/ˌpɑː.tjʊəˈrɪʃ.ən/US/ˌpɑːr.tʃəˈrɪʃ.ən/

Formal / Technical / Medical

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Quick answer

What does “parturition” mean?

The act of giving birth.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

The act of giving birth; the process of bringing forth offspring.

The process or action of bringing something into existence; often used metaphorically for creation or emergence.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both prefer technical contexts.

Connotations

Identical connotations: clinical, precise, detached.

Frequency

Equally rare in general discourse in both varieties; slightly higher frequency in UK veterinary literature.

Grammar

How to Use “parturition” in a Sentence

Parturition occursParturition is imminentParturition is completeThe parturition of

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
normal parturitiondifficult parturitionstage of parturitionimminent parturition
medium
during parturitionassist parturitionprocess of parturition
weak
time of parturitionsigns of parturitionafter parturition

Examples

Examples of “parturition” in a Sentence

verb

British English

  • The mare parturiated without complications.
  • The veterinary team observed the sow parturiating.

American English

  • The cow parturiated early this morning.
  • The ewe is expected to parturiate tonight.

adverb

British English

  • The procedure was performed parturiently.
  • (Rare usage)

American English

  • (Extremely rare; no standard adverbial form in use)

adjective

British English

  • The parturient heifer was moved to a separate stall.
  • Parturient females show distinct behavioural changes.

American English

  • The parturient cat sought a quiet place to nest.
  • Parturient mammals often have increased appetite.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Rarely used; only in metaphorical contexts (e.g., 'the parturition of a new product line').

Academic

Common in biological sciences, veterinary medicine, and medical papers.

Everyday

Virtually never used in casual conversation.

Technical

Standard term in obstetrics, veterinary science, and zoology.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “parturition”

Strong

laborconfinement (archaic)travail (literary)

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “parturition”

conceptionimpregnation

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “parturition”

  • Using 'parturition' in informal conversation.
  • Spelling as 'parturation'.
  • Pronouncing the 't' as /tʃ/ in British English (it's /tj/).

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it is a formal, technical term primarily used in medical, veterinary, and biological contexts.

'Parturition' is a more clinical, scientific term that can apply to any mammal. 'Childbirth' is the everyday term specific to humans.

Yes, but it's rare and stylistically marked. It can describe the difficult emergence or creation of an idea, movement, or era (e.g., 'the parturition of modern democracy').

'Parturient' is the related adjective, meaning 'about to give birth' or 'in labour'.

The act of giving birth.

Parturition is usually formal / technical / medical in register.

Parturition: in British English it is pronounced /ˌpɑː.tjʊəˈrɪʃ.ən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌpɑːr.tʃəˈrɪʃ.ən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “The parturition of an idea (metaphorical)”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of 'PART' + 'URITION'. You are a PART of a process (URITION sounds like 'creation') — the creation/process of bringing forth a new part (the baby).

Conceptual Metaphor

CREATION IS BIRTH / EMERGENCE IS PARTURITION (e.g., 'the parturition of a new era').

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
In veterinary medicine, the term is used to describe the process of giving birth in animals.
Multiple Choice

In which context is 'parturition' most appropriately used?