fetal position

noun

|Updated on: 8 Aug 2018

Definition of fetal position

: a position (as of a sleeping person) in which the body lies curled up on one side with the arms and legs drawn up and the head bowed forward and which is assumed in some forms of psychic regression

See fetal position defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of fetal position from the Web

During cross-examination by prosecutor Kimberly Gonzalez, the defendant became upset and at times covered his face, sobbed and would not look at the crime scene photographs, some of which showed Estrada in a fetal position in a pool of blood.

— elizabeth zavala, San Antonio Express-News, "San Antonio man accused of stabbing boyfriend sobs after grisly photos shown," 22 June 2018
Your natural instinct is to curl up in a fetal position on the couch.

— stanley kay, SI.com, "After Years of Heartbreak, Capitals Fans Finally Get Their Moment of Glory," 9 June 2018
The nephew escaped to the basement, and minutes later found his aunt in the fetal position on her bedroom floor, dead from a bullet through the heart.

— michael lapointe, The Atlantic, "The Twisted Tale of the World’s Largest Pearl," 11 May 2018
Several lie in the fetal position on the bare metal, or on what is left of a foam mattress.

— The Economist, "A crazy systemNobody spends enough on mental health," 26 Apr. 2018
In the first weeks after the shooting, the sound of jackhammers at a construction site or a helicopter flying overhead would send her to the ground in a fetal position, sobbing.

— john wilkens, latimes.com, "'We all almost died': Survivors of Las Vegas sniper find support in each other," 5 Mar. 2018
At one point during the altercation the woman is on the ground in a semi-fetal position.

— madeleine marr, miamiherald, "Hotel video shows rapper’s alleged violent altercation with girlfriend | Miami Herald," 26 Feb. 2018
According to a federal affidavit provided by Alaniz, Rivas was spotted by a Coast Guard helicopter hiding in sand dunes of Padre Island National Seashore in the fetal position.

— fernando alfonso iii, Houston Chronicle, "Texas officer arrested after allegedly searching for her undocumented Mexican boyfriend," 5 Apr. 2018
In the first weeks after the shooting, the sound of jackhammers at a construction site or a helicopter flying overhead would send her to the ground in a fetal position, sobbing.

— john wilkens, latimes.com, "'We all almost died': Survivors of Las Vegas sniper find support in each other," 5 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fetal position.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of fetal position

1963

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

FETAL POSITION Defined for English Language Learners

fetal position

noun

Definition of fetal position for English Language Learners

: a position in which you lie on your side with both legs and both arms bent and pulled up to your chest and with your head bowed forward

Medical Dictionary

fetal position

noun

medical Definition of fetal position

: a position (as of a sleeping person) in which the body lies curled up on one side with the arms and legs drawn up toward the chest and the head is bowed forward and which is assumed in some forms of psychological regression