From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishpregnant pause/silencepregnant pause/silenceSHOW/BE A SIGN OFa pause or silence which is full of meaning or emotion He stopped, and there was a pregnant pause. → pregnant
Examples from the Corpus
pregnant pause/silence• There was a long silence - what I think might be called a pregnant pause.• The problem with his lofty sentiments and pregnant pauses was that they were completely eclipsed by his reputation. 