Abortion Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Abortion, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Abortion?

n. an abortion is the termination of a pregnancy associated with the death of an embryo or a fetus. In legal terms the word is understood to mean deliberate abortion and not accidental abortion. When dont with a mala fide intention it becomes a misdemeanor, and the party causing it may be indicted and punished. . . . Wade ruling (1973) as given by the Supreme Court rules that women had the right to terminate her pregnancy through the first trimester of gestation (three months). If life of the expecting mother is in danger than abortion is legally justified.