fetus

noun

fe·​tus ˈfē-təs How to pronounce fetus (audio)
: 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 Sometimes, stents are also used to drain extra fluid from the fetus' chest. Addison Aloian, Women's Health, 7 Sep. 2023 NSAIDs taken during pregnancy can cause rare but serious kidney problems in fetuses and can lead to low levels of amniotic fluid, per Mayo Clinic. Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 3 Sep. 2023 Believing that the data might indicate the existence of an edited human fetus, Regalado sent it to Fyodor Urnov, an expert on gene editing, for verification. Dana Goodyear, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2023 Jury selection has also been further complicated after the lead defendant made news last year for obtaining fetuses from the driver of a medical waste disposal truck in D.C. — an account the waste company denied — and storing them in a Capitol Hill rowhome. Ellie Silverman, Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2023 State District Court Judge Jessica Mangrum outlined these medical exemptions as a pregnancy that presents a risk of infection, requires regular and invasive treatment, or when a doctor determines that the fetus will not survive beyond birth. Justin Klawans, The Week, 5 Aug. 2023 The label will warn that the drug could cause harm to a fetus and will advise women to use contraception while taking the pill and for a week afterward. Pam Belluck, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2023 The lawsuit had argued that the laws' vague wording made doctors unwilling to provide abortions despite the fetuses having no chance of survival. Caroline Linton, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2023 This last twist shifts the narrative from being solely a tale about the tragic failure of the man to own his part in the conception and destruction of their fetus. William Nash, The Conversation, 29 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fetus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin, act of bearing young, offspring; akin to Latin fetus newly delivered, fruitful — more at feminine

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fetus was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near fetus

Cite this Entry

“Fetus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fetus. Accessed 21 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

fetus

noun
fe·​tus ˈfēt-əs How to pronounce fetus (audio)
plural fetuses
: a young animal while in the body of its mother or in the egg especially in the later stages of development
especially : a developing human being in the uterus from usually two months after pregnancy occurs to birth compare embryo sense 1

Medical Definition

fetus

noun
fe·​tus
variants or chiefly British foetus
plural fetuses or chiefly British foetuses or foeti ˈfēt-ˌī How to pronounce fetus (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on fetus

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