fetus

noun fe·tus \ ˈfē-təs \

|Updated on: 15 Aug 2018

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 1b

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Recent Examples of fetus from the Web

The Hungarians had discovered a protein that brakes the immune system to keep it from attacking a fast-growing invader — the fetus.

— marie mccullough, Philly.com, "Can the abortion pill treat advanced lung cancer? This infertility expert wants to find out," 3 July 2018
Roe barred most legal restrictions on abortions until fetuses were considered able to survive outside the womb, believed then to be 24 weeks after a woman’s last menstrual period (about 22 weeks after conception).

— New York Times, "Bulwark Against an Abortion Ban? Medical Advances," 1 July 2018
The woman, Nicole Arteaga, 35, hadn’t wanted to abort the 9-week-old fetus.

— david lazarus, latimes.com, "A holy mess: Walgreens case shows it's time to get God out of the workplace," 27 June 2018
In some states, doctors have to display a sonogram and describe the fetus.

— megan friedman, Marie Claire, "The Supreme Court Just Ruled in Favor of Anti-Choice ‘Crisis Pregnancy Centers’," 26 June 2018
Many must travel long distances to reach medical facilities that can perform effective and painless procedures to remove the expired fetus and extra uterine tissue.

— dorothy novick, STAT, "FDA shouldn’t allow politics to hurt women suffering miscarriage," 22 June 2018
The Chamber of Deputies' bill also would allow women to get legal abortions after 14 weeks if the pregnancy resulted from rape, the woman's health was at risk, or the fetus suffered severe conditions not compatible with life outside of the womb.

— daniel politi and ralph ellis, CNN, "Argentina's lower house of Congress approves bill liberalizing abortion laws," 14 June 2018
These cellular snippets tell scientists which genes are turned on, suggesting the fetus has reached specific stages of maturation.

— dina fine maron, Scientific American, "Blood Test Could Predict Premature Birth Risk, Due Date," 7 June 2018
At 11 weeks, Royan had some bleeding, and tests determined the fetus had no heartbeat.

— kim hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, "Analysis: Irish abortion vote reflects a new Ireland (that isn't so new)," 27 May 2018

These 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.