embryonic

adjective

em·​bry·​on·​ic ˌem-brē-ˈä-nik 

1

: of or relating to an embryo

2

: being in an early stage of development : incipient, rudimentary

an embryonic plan

embryonically

ˌem-brē-ˈä-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of embryonic in a Sentence

The tourism industry there is still in an embryonic stage.

Recent Examples on the Web

This is a crucial stage of embryonic development, as the final, off-center position of the blastocoel sets the axis of symmetry for the mouse’s back and belly. —Clare Watson, Quanta Magazine, 27 Feb. 2026

The institute has helped fund academic research, and increasingly biotech companies, that use embryonic stem cells. —Anil Oza, STAT, 20 Feb. 2026

For what's essentially the embryonic form of a massive star, L1544 is a remarkably tranquil place. —Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 16 Feb. 2026

The details layer like a Georges Seurat painting, especially compared to earlier, more embryonic versions of these songs. —David Glickman, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin embryonicus, from embryon-, embryo embryo + Latin -icus -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1740, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing embryonic

• embryonic disc
• embryonic disk
• embryonic membrane

Rhymes for embryonic

• anharmonic
• anionic
• avionic
• catatonic
• cationic
• chorionic
• cosmogonic
• diachronic
• diatonic
• electronic
• excitonic
• fermionic

Kids Definition

embryonic

adjective

em·​bry·​on·​ic ˌem-brē-ˈän-ik 

1

: of or relating to an embryo

2

: being in an early stage of development

an embryonic plan

embryonically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

embryonic

adjective

em·​bry·​on·​ic ˌem-brē-ˈän-ik 

1

: of or relating to an embryo

2

: being in an early stage of development : incipient, rudimentary

embryonically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb