ectopic
adjective
ec·top·ic
ek-ˈtä-pik 
: occurring in an abnormal position or in an unusual manner or form
ectopic lesions
Examples of ectopic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Experts who reviewed ProPublica’s data wondered if the increase in transfusions might be driven by more women experiencing complications of ectopic or molar pregnancies, rare nonviable pregnancies in which the likelihood of a blood transfusion is much higher than for a spontaneous miscarriage.
—
Andrea Suozzo, ProPublica, 1 July 2025
These reckless, politically motivated ads contributed to delays that endangered my life despite my ectopic [pregnancy] being discovered at 5 weeks and with no heartbeat.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025
The complaint states that on February 17, Thurman first went to her hometown emergency room after testing positive on a pregnancy test and under the guidance of her OBGYN, who suspected based on her heavy bleeding that the pregnancy was ectopic.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 19 June 2025
Of these pregnancies, around 20% will be ectopic (implanted in places other than the uterus) and nonviable (not capable of developing).
—Corey Whelan, Verywell Health, 24 Jan. 2025
Bleeding is a sign of an ectopic pregnancy.13 Miscarriage: The loss of pregnancy, known as miscarriage, can cause bleeding.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 4 Jan. 2025
Women who have ectopic and molar pregnancies and other complications that are life-threatening are forced to carry (sometimes dead or non-viable) fetuses.
—The Tennessean, 1 Aug. 2024
During the 2023 legislative session, state lawmakers carved out exceptions for ectopic and molar pregnancies — complications that guarantee a pregnancy will not be viable.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 24 Apr. 2024
Similarly, what happens when there are complications from a wanted pregnancy that needs to be terminated (e.g., ectopic, molar, or otherwise nonviable pregnancies) after six weeks?
—Brynn Tannehill, The New Republic, 14 Sep. 2023
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Andrea Suozzo, ProPublica, 1 July 2025
These reckless, politically motivated ads contributed to delays that endangered my life despite my ectopic [pregnancy] being discovered at 5 weeks and with no heartbeat.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025
The complaint states that on February 17, Thurman first went to her hometown emergency room after testing positive on a pregnancy test and under the guidance of her OBGYN, who suspected based on her heavy bleeding that the pregnancy was ectopic.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 19 June 2025
Of these pregnancies, around 20% will be ectopic (implanted in places other than the uterus) and nonviable (not capable of developing).
—Corey Whelan, Verywell Health, 24 Jan. 2025
Bleeding is a sign of an ectopic pregnancy.13 Miscarriage: The loss of pregnancy, known as miscarriage, can cause bleeding.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 4 Jan. 2025
Women who have ectopic and molar pregnancies and other complications that are life-threatening are forced to carry (sometimes dead or non-viable) fetuses.
—The Tennessean, 1 Aug. 2024
During the 2023 legislative session, state lawmakers carved out exceptions for ectopic and molar pregnancies — complications that guarantee a pregnancy will not be viable.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 24 Apr. 2024
Similarly, what happens when there are complications from a wanted pregnancy that needs to be terminated (e.g., ectopic, molar, or otherwise nonviable pregnancies) after six weeks?
—Brynn Tannehill, The New Republic, 14 Sep. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Ectopic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ectopic. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
ectopic
adjective
ec·top·ic
ek-ˈtäp-ik
1
: occurring in an abnormal position
an ectopic kidney
compare entopic
2
: originating in an area of the heart other than the sinoatrial node
ectopic beats
also
: initiating ectopic heartbeats
an ectopic pacemaker
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