meconium

noun

me·​co·​ni·​um mi-ˈkō-nē-əm How to pronounce meconium (audio)
: a dark greenish mass that accumulates in the bowel during fetal life and is discharged shortly after birth

Examples of meconium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web There also is a risk of pneumonia, which is caused by meconium aspiration, fecal contamination, and bacteria from tub water. Bekka Besich, Parents, 3 Sep. 2023 These range from infection and meconium aspiration to drowning. Bekka Besich, Parents, 3 Sep. 2023 Armstead knew this meant the state probably didn’t have the meconium evidence. Cary Aspinwall, al, 25 July 2023 The amniotic fluid smells foul, looks greenish or brownish, or contains lots of blood: These qualities could indicate fetal distress, or that the baby has passed meconium (the first bowel movement), explains Brichter, in which case your provider will want to check in on your baby. Nicole Harris, Parents, 6 July 2023 Oscar spent his first two nights in the NICU due to meconium aspiration syndrome, but aside from that, my pregnancy was normal and my delivery was typical. Melissa Petro, Time, 3 Nov. 2022 There was no food but meconium, the dark fluid that is in the stomach of fetuses and newborns until replaced with milk or formula. Cory Shaffer, cleveland, 12 June 2022 Over the last year, research has shown the presence of these particles in human blood, healthy lung tissue and meconium — the first bowel movement of a newborn. Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2022 In just the last few months, research has shown the presence of plastic particles in human blood, healthy lung tissue and meconium — the first bowel movement of a newborn. Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'meconium.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin, literally, poppy juice, from Greek mēkōnion, from mēkōn poppy; akin to Old High German mago poppy

First Known Use

circa 1706, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of meconium was circa 1706

Dictionary Entries Near meconium

Cite this Entry

“Meconium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meconium. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

meconium

noun
me·​co·​ni·​um mi-ˈkō-nē-əm How to pronounce meconium (audio)
: a dark greenish mass of desquamated cells, mucus, and bile that accumulates in the bowel of a fetus and is typically discharged shortly after birth
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