1. a condition in which a female animal exhibits physical and behavioral signs of pregnancy without being pregnant, often caused by hormonal changes after estrus
Usage: veterinary/medical term; also called false pregnancy or phantom pregnancy
2. in humans, a psychological condition in which a person believes they are pregnant and may experience pregnancy-like symptoms, without actual pregnancy
Usage: medical/psychological term; also called pseudocyesis

Examples

• The veterinarian explained that the dog's pseudopregnancy would resolve on its own within a few weeks.
• Pseudopregnancy in cats can cause them to produce milk and exhibit nesting behavior.
• The hormonal changes leading to pseudopregnancy are a natural occurrence in many mammalian species.
• Her pseudopregnancy symptoms included weight gain and morning sickness, but ultrasounds showed no fetus.
• The doctor ruled out pseudopregnancy after confirming the patient's hormone levels were normal.