fe·tus
| \ ˈfē-təs
\
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Definition of fetus
: 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
Addressing the 51 million Catholics in the US, the influential body explained that though Pfizer and Moderna used fetus cells for testing, Johnson & Johnson poses the higher moral dilemma because it was developed, tested, and is produced with them.
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Anne Quito, Quartz, "Vaccine brand “comparison shopping” presents a critical public health challenge," 31 Mar. 2021
Antibodies naturally cross the placenta into the fetus, then persist throughout the first six or so months of the baby’s life, as the infant’s own immune system begins to churn out homemade batches of microbe-vanquishing molecules.
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Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, "New Parents Are Now Vaccinating for Two," 31 Mar. 2021
There’s a tremendous amount of research to show that serious stressors during pregnancy can not only be detrimental for maternal mental health but also impact the fetus, impact maternal child bonding and then, ultimately, a child’s development.
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Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, "Recovering from the Emotional Challenges of the Pandemic," 30 Mar. 2021
House Bill 454 bans a procedure known as dilation and evacuation in which the fetus is removed with instruments, generally after the 14th week of pregnancy.
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Deborah Yetter, The Courier-Journal, "US Supreme Court to decide whether Daniel Cameron can challenge Kentucky abortion ruling," 29 Mar. 2021
The experiments, at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, were meant to help scientists understand how mammals develop and how gene mutations, nutrients and environmental conditions may affect the fetus.
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Gina Kolata, Star Tribune, "A 'breakthrough' artificial womb," 25 Mar. 2021
However, experts note that this technology sexes chicks on the 13th day of development, a period where the chick fetus may experience pain.
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Jonathan Moens, Smithsonian Magazine, "Can New Technologies Eliminate the Grim Practice of Chick Culling?," 17 Mar. 2021
For example, if a woman is exposed to chemicals that block the action of androgens during the first trimester of pregnancy, this can affect the reproductive development of the male fetus in numerous ways.
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Stacey Colino, Scientific American, "Reproductive Problems in Both Men and Women Are Rising at an Alarming Rate," 16 Mar. 2021
Some chemicals appeared both in pregnant people and their newborn babies, which suggests the chemicals crossed through the placenta into the womb where the fetus developed.
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Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, "Humans Contain 42 Mystery Chemicals, Which Is Slightly Concerning," 22 Mar. 2021
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fetus.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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Last Updated
9 Apr 2021
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Cite this Entry
“Fetus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fetus. Accessed 17 Apr. 2021.
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More Definitions for fetus
fetus
noun
English Language Learners Definition of fetus
: a human being or animal in the later stages of development before it is born
See the full definition for fetus in the English Language Learners Dictionary
fetus
noun
fe·tus
| \ ˈfē-təs
\
\
Kids Definition of fetus
: an animal not yet born or hatched but more developed than an embryo
fetus
noun
fe·tus
variants:
or chiefly British foetus \
ˈfēt-əs
\
\
plural fetuses or chiefly British foetuses or foeti\
ˈfēt-ˌī
\
\
Medical Definition of fetus
: 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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Time Traveler for fetus
The first known use of fetus was in the 14th century
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