: a device inserted into and left in the uterus to prevent effective conception
called alsointrauterine contraceptive device, IUD
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebBut Spears said she hadn’t been allowed to remove an intrauterine device for birth control or even drive. Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY, 9 June 2022 Another is an intrauterine device, Dr. Thielen says. Meryl Davids Landau, Good Housekeeping, 6 July 2022 Other options include the Ella pill and the copper intrauterine device, more widely known as an IUD. Wyatte Grantham-philips, USA TODAY, 24 June 2022 During her testimony, the Grammy winner accused her conservators of forcing her to use an intrauterine device that prevented her from having more children. Christi Carrasstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2022 Researchers later discovered that the government subjected hundreds of thousands of Turkic Muslim women to forcible intrauterine device (IUD) insertions, sterilizations and abortions. Lorraine Boissoneault, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Feb. 2022 An unknown number of women are experiencing vaginismus after painful contraceptive coil (also known as IUD (intrauterine device)) fittings. Ella Glover, refinery29.com, 17 Jan. 2022 When Zhou and his girlfriend inquired about getting a vasectomy, a doctor suggested that his girlfriend wear an intrauterine device.Washington Post, 9 Dec. 2021 Spears had said in her June 23 speech that she was being compelled under the conservatorship to take certain medications and to use an intrauterine device for birth control against her will. Andrew Dalton, chicagotribune.com, 8 Sep. 2021 See More
Word History
First Known Use
1964, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
intrauterine device
noun
: a usually T-shaped, plastic device that is inserted into and left in the uterus for an extended time (as five years) to prevent effective conception
Note: The intrauterine device typically contains a progestin (as levonorgestrel) or has copper wire wound around the arms and vertical stem of the "T."