OB
Abbreviation with 3 meanings
| Stands for | Obstetrics |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 3 |
| Categories | Medical, Sports, Writing & Everyday |
| Also written | ob. |
OB has three meanings. The most common are Obstetrics (obstetrics & gynecology) and Out of bounds (other sports); it can also stand for Obiit (died).
Meanings of OB at a glance
| # | OB stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Obstetrics | Medical › Obstetrics & Gynecology |
| 2 | Out of bounds | Sports › Other Sports |
| 3 | Obiit (died) | Writing & Everyday › Genealogy |
1. Obstetrics
Medical · Obstetrics & Gynecology Abbreviations
Branch of medicine covering pregnancy, labor, delivery and the postpartum period. As shorthand, OB also names the specialist or service, as in "OB appointment" or "OB triage", and is usually paired with gynecology in the combined specialty OB/GYN.
Example: First OB visit at 9 weeks: dating ultrasound, prenatal labs and genetic screening options reviewed.
From the Latin obstetrix, midwife, literally "one who stands before" the woman giving birth. Patients often say "my OB" for their obstetrician. US obstetrician-gynecologists complete a four-year residency and are certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Family physicians and certified nurse-midwives also provide much prenatal care.
2. Out of bounds
Sports · Other Sports Abbreviations
Area outside a golf course's boundaries, marked by white stakes or lines. A ball hit out of bounds costs a one-stroke penalty and must be replayed from the original spot, a penalty known as stroke and distance.
Example: His tee shot sailed OB on the 18th, costing him the tournament.
Since 2019 a local rule lets recreational players drop near where the ball went out for a two-stroke penalty instead of walking back. The abbreviation OB is also used in basketball and football for out-of-bounds plays. In medicine OB means obstetrics.
3. Obiit (died) (ob.)
Writing & Everyday · Genealogy Abbreviations
Latin for "he or she died," found on tombstones, memorial plaques, church monuments and older genealogies, followed by a date, as in "ob. 1723."
Example: The brass plaque reads "Ricardus Thorne, ob. 14 Apr. 1601," set into the chancel floor.
Related Latin abbreviations include o.s.p. (obiit sine prole, died without issue) and aet. (aged). The English word "obituary" comes from the same Latin verb, obire, "to go to meet" death. Older monuments often pair ob. with the age at death.
Related abbreviations
More obstetrics & gynecology abbreviations
- NIPT – Noninvasive prenatal testing
- NST – Nonstress test
- NSVD – Normal spontaneous vaginal delivery
- NT – Nuchal translucency
- OCP – Oral contraceptive pill
- OHSS – Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
- Pap – Papanicolaou test
- PGT – Preimplantation genetic testing
See all 89 obstetrics & gynecology abbreviations →
More other sports abbreviations
- NC – No contest
- NR – National record
- NRR – Net run rate
- O/U – Over/under
- ODI – One Day International
- OR – Olympic record
- P4P – Pound-for-pound
- PB – Personal best
See all 63 other sports abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.