fetus

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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 1b

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Recent Examples of fetus from the Web

Several of the wounds would have been life-threatening on their own, including the one that cut through her uterus and the fetus, according to an autopsy performed by the King County Medical Examiner’s Office.

— christine clarridge, The Seattle Times, "Autopsy shows Charleena Lyles was shot 7 times by police," 30 Aug. 2017
Her latest proposal with Democratic Rep. Bill Patmon of Cleveland would penalize the sale of aborted fetuses.

— jessie balmert, Cincinnati.com, "Butler County lawmaker Margy Conditt resigns," 24 Aug. 2017
Chile's government is closer to passing a bill that would allow Chileans to undergo abortions in cases of rape, in which the mother's life was at risk, and in which the fetus would perish during the pregnancy.

— robert newhouse, Teen Vogue, "Over 500 Students Were Allegedly Abused at This German Music School," 19 July 2017
The act says that both parents would need to agree on what to do with the remains of an aborted fetus.

— megan friedman, Marie Claire, "In Arkansas, Women Might Need to Get Their Rapist's Permission to Get an Abortion," 11 July 2017
If someone who’s pregnant gets Zika, however, the consequences for the fetus can be devastating.

— julie beck, The Atlantic, "The Case for Testing Zika Vaccines on Pregnant Women," 6 July 2017
The traditional preference among Chinese parents for boys rather than girls, which caused many parents to abort female fetuses, pushed the male-to-female ratio up to 120-100 in some provinces during the one-child years.

— Bloomberg.com, "Why China’s Two-Child Policy Shift Comes Too Late: QuickTake Q&A," 5 July 2017
The groups said the tissue disposal law would require notification of a third party, such as the woman’s sexual partner or her parents, before the abortion to determine how the fetus would be disposed of.

— andrew demillo, The Seattle Times, "Groups file lawsuits over new Arkansas abortion restrictions," 20 June 2017
Columbus Police Detective Wayne Fairbairn said the feticide charge in Georgia refers to the killing of a fetus.

— greg garrison, AL.com, "Ex-Alabama pastor jailed in Georgia for kidnapping, assault, feticide," 16 June 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of fetus

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

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Other Embryology Terms

gravid, neonate, ontogeny, parturition

FETUS Defined for English Language Learners

fetus

play

noun

Definition of fetus for English Language Learners

: a human being or animal in the later stages of development before it is born

FETUS Defined for Kids

fetus

play

noun fe·tus \ ˈfē-təs \

Definition of fetus for Students

:an animal not yet born or hatched but more developed than an embryo

Medical Dictionary

fetus

noun fe·tus

variants: or chiefly British foetus play \ˈfēt-əs\

medical Definition of fetus

plural fetuses or chiefly British foetuses or foeti play \ˈfēt-ˌī\

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See words that rhyme with fetus Spanish Central: Translation of fetus Nglish: Translation of fetus for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of fetus for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fetus

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fetus

Definition of fetus

Recent Examples of fetus from the Web

Origin and Etymology of fetus

Other Embryology Terms

FETUS Defined for English Language Learners

fetus

Definition of fetus for English Language Learners

FETUS Defined for Kids

fetus

Definition of fetus for Students

Medical Dictionary

fetus

medical Definition of fetus

Learn More about fetus

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fetus

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