: 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
Peterson, now 53, was convicted in 2004 of first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Laci Peterson, and second-degree murder for the death of her fetus.
—
Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Also, women who are pregnant and their fetuses, children, older adults and people living with chronic conditions, especially heart and lung disease, may be physically more susceptible to the health impacts of air pollution than other adults, according to the American Lung Association.
—Natassia Paloma, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Hernandez-Rey said it is strongly recommended to stop GLP-1 medications at least one to two months before attempting pregnancy to avoid potential risks to a fetus.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Amniotic fluid will flood the abdominal cavity, and the team will have scant seconds to deliver the baby before the mother’s heart failure also kills the fetus.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
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Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Also, women who are pregnant and their fetuses, children, older adults and people living with chronic conditions, especially heart and lung disease, may be physically more susceptible to the health impacts of air pollution than other adults, according to the American Lung Association.
—Natassia Paloma, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Hernandez-Rey said it is strongly recommended to stop GLP-1 medications at least one to two months before attempting pregnancy to avoid potential risks to a fetus.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Amniotic fluid will flood the abdominal cavity, and the team will have scant seconds to deliver the baby before the mother’s heart failure also kills the fetus.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fetus
Cite this Entry
“Fetus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fetus. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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