fetus

noun

fe·tus | \ ˈfē-təs

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

According to the New York Post, law enforcement said the fetus, discovered at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport, may have been left by a teenager. — Kitty Stryker, Teen Vogue, "The Fetus Found in an Airplane Bathroom May Have Been Left by a Miscarrying Teen," 9 Aug. 2018 At the same time, researchers are gaining new insights into genetic and environmental influences on the fetus, such as a mother’s obesity or exposure to toxic substances. — Laura Landro, WSJ, "The New, Improved World of Infant Care," 16 Sep. 2018 The country’s leaders support a ‘‘yes,’’ an outcome that would repeal a 1983 constitutional amendment requiring authorities to treat a fetus and its mother as equals under the law. — BostonGlobe.com, "Referendum in Ireland could lift strict ban on abortion," 25 May 2018 Certainly, a surgical delivery can be lifesaving when, for example, the fetus or the mother is at risk of a serious or fatal complication from a vaginal delivery. — Jane E. Brody, New York Times, "The Importance of Infants’ Exposure to Micro-Organisms," 5 Feb. 2018 But even if there was a confession, murder charges likely wouldn’t be filed if authorities determined the mother solicited, aided, abetted or consented to the act that led to the fetus death, the news station reported. — Crystal Hill, sacbee, "Pregnant woman had boyfriend punch her in stomach, cops say. It may not be a crime.," 29 June 2018 His team identified nine genes that originated in the placenta that helped to predict exactly how old the growing fetus was. — Alice Park, Time, "There May Soon Be a Blood Test for Predicting Premature Births," 7 June 2018 Swallowing is how fetuses practice breathing for the outside. — The Cut, The Cut, "The Mom Who Had an Abortion at 8 Months, Then a Surprise Pregnancy," 6 June 2018 But because methadone and buprenorphine are still opioids, a fetus adapted to them is still at risk for withdrawal after birth. — Jennifer Egan, New York Times, "Children of the Opioid Epidemic," 9 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.