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contraceptive pill

contraceptive pill

2 3.5
A small pill you take to stop pregnancy
  • noun
  • /ˌkɒntrəˈsɛptɪv pɪl/
translation icon : píldora anticonceptiva
  • It's important to take the contraceptive pill daily at the same time for it to be effective.
  • an oral contraceptive pill
  • combined contraceptive pills
  • using the contraceptive pill

So let's talk about birth control pills or oral contraceptive pills.

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Examples

  • The contraceptive pill works by inhibiting ovulation to help control family planning.

  • So yeah, so contraceptive pills can help with the pain.

  • When I read this, I began wondering if the widespread availability and use of the contraceptive pill might be responsible for the rising divorce rates.

    Blog text (1)
  • Her mother asks you to put her on the contraceptive pill without telling her and says she always takes any tablets she is given unquestioningly.

    Academic text (2014)
  • The contraceptive pill can be taken back-to-back for 2 or 3 cycles to minimize the number of bleeds.

    Academic text (2012)
  • This usually either involves using the contraceptive pill to regulate the cycle or using hormones to suppress the cycle altogether.

    Academic text (2012)
  • The combined oral contraceptive pill is absolutely contraindicated in migraine with aura.

    Academic text (2011)
  • A 28-year-old woman complains of postcoital and intermenstrual bleeding since starting on her oral contraceptive pill.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Suppression of the normal cycle is achieved by hormones, and the simplest approach is either using a contraceptive pill such as the combined pill or Cerazette.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Many women rely on the contraceptive pill to prevent unintended pregnancies.

Synonyms

contraceptive
vscontraceptive pill
37 4.4

Something used to stop a woman from becoming pregnant, like a pill or condom

is the narrower medical product taken as hormones to inhibit ovulation
birth control pill
vscontraceptive pill
  • Specialized
33 2.7

A small medicine tablet with hormones a woman takes to prevent pregnancy

is the neutral medical term rather than an informal everyday phrase
morning-after pill
vscontraceptive pill
12 3.9

A pill you take after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy

is used regularly before intercourse, not for emergency use after sex
oral contraceptive
vscontraceptive pill
  • Specialized
4 3.6

A pill women take to prevent pregnancy by stopping the release of an egg

is the more general, everyday label for the same hormone medicine
oral contraceptive pill
vscontraceptive pill
  • Specialized
1 3.7

A pill taken by mouth that prevents a woman from becoming pregnant

is the shorter, more general label for the same hormone medication
oral contraception
vscontraceptive pill
  • Specialized
1 3.5

A way to prevent pregnancy by taking pills by mouth

is the specific medicinal product used, not the general preventive method
anovulant
vscontraceptive pill
  • Specialized
9.7

A birth control pill that stops the release of an egg to prevent pregnancy

is the common descriptive term rather than the narrow technical label
anovulatory drug
vscontraceptive pill
  • Specialized
7.5

A pill that stops the release of an egg to prevent pregnancy

is the general medicine term rather than a specialized scientific label
Ovulen
vscontraceptive pill
  • Specialized
9.9

A brand name for a birth control pill that women take to prevent pregnancy

is the generic category term rather than a single brand name product

How Effective

sterilization
  • Specialized
22 4.9
intrauterine device
  • Specialized
1 3.9
contraceptive pill
2 3.5
condom
  • NSFW
442 2.8
ovulation method
  • Specialized
4.9

Surface Forms

Morphology

contraceptive + pill

The meaning is directly and transparently built from 'contraceptive' (preventing pregnancy) + 'pill' (a small tablet), so a learner who knows both words can infer it is a tablet taken to prevent pregnancy. This compositional pattern is straightforward and cross-linguistically common, making it immediately comprehensible to B1 learners.

Etymology

Contraceptive pill is a simple name: contraceptive means 'against pregnancy' and pill is a small tablet you swallow. So the name tells you its use — a tablet taken 'to prevent pregnancy'.