fetus

noun

fe·​tus ˈfē-təs 

: 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

Randall Terry created political ads featuring images of aborted fetuses and people being lynched. — Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

The findings, published in 2014, found a dramatic drop in a mouse’s ability to become pregnant and successfully carry a fetus to term. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026

The womb houses neither placenta nor umbilical cord, just a tiny fetus, feet down, hands covering its eyes. — Carmen Rosenberg-Miller, Artforum, 6 Aug. 2026

Test the family, test the fetus and, when possible, correct the mutation before birth rather than accept avoidable harm. — William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin, act of bearing young, offspring; akin to Latin fetus newly delivered, fruitful — more at feminine

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fetus

• foetus
• meatus
• thetis
• treatise
• caritas
• mellitus
• cellulitis
• margaritas
• tonsillitis

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

ˈfēt-əs 

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