placentation

noun

1
: the arrangement of placentas and ovules in a plant ovary
2
a
: the development of the placenta and attachment of the fetus to the uterus during pregnancy
b
: the morphological type of a placenta

Examples of placentation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Another possible cause for higher hormone levels leading to excessive nausea is something called abnormal placentation, where the placenta overgrows, says Liu, adding that this happens only occasionally. Miriam Falco and Alanne Orjoux, CNN, 4 Sep. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1760, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of placentation was in 1760

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Placentation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/placentation. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Medical Definition

1
: the development of the placenta and attachment of the fetus to the uterus during pregnancy
2
: the morphological type of a placenta
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!