birth control pill

noun

variants or less commonly birth-control pill

ˈbərth-kən-ˈtrōl- 

plural birth control pills also birth-control pills

: any of various preparations that typically contain progestin either alone or in combination with estrogen, are taken orally especially on a daily basis, and act as contraceptives (see contraceptive entry 1) by preventing ovulation, thickening cervical mucus, or thinning the uterine lining : oral contraceptive

One of the biggest impediments to obtaining birth control pills is needing a prescription.

—Kathryn Kolbert

A survey of college students in the United States … found that the most common method of birth control among college students is the male condom, followed by birth control pills …

—John Elflein

Sales of over-the-counter contraceptives aimed at women … are declining precipitously as growing numbers of women switch to birth-control pills or opt for surgical sterilization.

—Kathleen Deveny

Note: The birth control pill is often referred to simply as "the Pill."

called also contraceptive pill

compare mini pill, morning-after pill

Examples of birth control pill in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

So that includes any form of hormonal birth control including the birth control pill, the ring, hormonal intrauterine device (or IUD), the patch, and the implant. —Heather Viggiani, Glamour, 9 Oct. 2022

Researchers have been trying to come up with a birth control pill for men. —Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 23 Feb. 2023

One type of birth control pill, sometimes called the mini-pill, contains only the hormone progestin. —Amanda MacMillan, Health, 11 Feb. 2023

But a new study has found a compound that may hold the key to a reversible male birth control pill. —Sophie Bushwick, Discover Magazine, 17 Aug. 2012

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

birth control pill

noun

: any of various pills usually taken every day to prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation

Medical Definition

birth control pill

noun

variants also birth-control pill

: any of various preparations that typically contain a progestin (such as norethindrone or levonorgestrel) either alone or in combination with an estrogen (such as ethinyl estradiol or mestranol), are taken orally especially on a daily basis, and act as contraceptives (see contraceptive entry 1) by preventing ovulation, thickening cervical mucus, or thinning the uterine lining : oral contraceptive

Birth control pills are mainly used to prevent pregnancy, but more than half of women who take them identify other immediate health benefits … such as relief from menstrual pain, treatment of acne and menstrual regulation.

—Rachel K. Jones, Guttmacher Institute

Progestins are the more active ovulation blockers; there are about 10 different progestins found in various birth control pills, each with a unique pharmacological profile. These are used in concert with … estrogen analogues. … The estrogen also helps regulate the uterine lining to prevent breakthrough bleeding.

—Erika Gebel Berg, American Chemical Society

Note: The birth control pill is often referred to simply as "the Pill."

called also contraceptive pill

see also mini pill, morning-after pill