-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
: an unborn or unhatched vertebrate especially after attaining the basic structural plan of its kind
specifically
: a developing human from usually two months after conception to birth compare embryo sense 1a
Examples of fetus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Pink House performed abortions only until 16 weeks of pregnancy, the center’s lawyers wrote, and had done just 78 abortions when the fetus was identified as being 15 weeks or older in 2017.
—Lisa Lerer, New York Times, 28 May 2024
That’s bad news, as microplastics—fragments of plastic measuring as small as 1 micrometer, or a millionth of a meter—can pass from the bloodstream into organs throughout the body and even into fetuses, potentially raising the risk of cancer, reproductive problems, and other ills.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 2 May 2024
At some point, the fetus in the womb has consciousness, and killing it leads to negative karma.
—Baltimore Sun Media, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2024
But lead is also a potent neurotoxin, especially for children and developing fetuses, but also for adults and wildlife.
—John Myers, Twin Cities, 11 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for fetus
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fetus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near fetus
Cite this Entry
“Fetus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fetus. Accessed 14 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
fetus
noun
fe·tus
ˈfēt-əs
plural fetuses
: a young animal while in the body of its mother or in the egg especially in the later stages of development
especially
: a developing human being in the uterus from usually two months after pregnancy occurs to birth compare embryo sense 1
Medical Definition
fetus
noun
fe·tus
variants
or chiefly British foetus
plural fetuses or chiefly British foetuses or foeti
ˈfēt-ˌī
: an unborn or unhatched vertebrate especially after attaining the basic structural plan of its kind
specifically
: a developing human from usually two months after conception to birth compare embryo
More from Merriam-Webster on fetus
Nglish: Translation of fetus for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of fetus for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fetus
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share