noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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General-American:/ˈsɝəɡəsi/
Received-Pronunciation:/ˈsʌɹəɡəsi/
CMU ARPABET:S ER1 AH0 G AH0 S IY0
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
The state or condition of being a surrogate.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, rare, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
The practice of being a surrogate mother.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
From surrog(ate) + -acy.
Across languages
Translations
33 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Catalan:
gestació per substitució
— surrogate motherhood
Danish:
rugemoderskab
— surrogate motherhood
Dutch:
draagmoederschap
— surrogate motherhood
Finnish:
sijaissynnytys
— surrogate motherhood
French:
gestation pour autrui
— surrogate motherhood