puerperium

noun

pu·​er·​pe·​ri·​um ˌpyü-ər-ˈpir-ē-əm How to pronounce puerperium (audio)
plural puerperia ˌpyü-ər-ˈpir-ē-ə How to pronounce puerperium (audio)
: the period between childbirth and the return of the uterus to its normal size

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from puerpera

First Known Use

circa 1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of puerperium was circa 1890

Dictionary Entries Near puerperium

puerperal fever

puerperium

Puerto Barrios

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Puerperium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puerperium. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

puerperium

noun
pu·​er·​pe·​ri·​um ˌpyü-ər-ˈpir-ē-əm How to pronounce puerperium (audio)
plural puerperia -ē-ə How to pronounce puerperium (audio)
: the period between childbirth and the return of the uterus to its normal size

More from Merriam-Webster on puerperium

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about puerperium

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