fetus

fe·tus | \ ˈfē-təs

How to pronounce fetus (audio)

\

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 With the exception of the smallpox vaccine, which can cause a rare but serious infection of the fetus, vaccines have been safe and enormously beneficial for pregnant women and their babies. — Anchorage Daily News, "Pregnant women agonize over unknowns of taking the coronavirus vaccine," 2 Jan. 2021 With the exception of the smallpox vaccine, which can cause a rare but serious infection of the fetus, vaccines have been safe and enormously beneficial for pregnant women and their babies. — BostonGlobe.com, "Pregnant women agonize over unknowns of taking the coronavirus vaccine," 1 Jan. 2021 The use of cells derived from fetal tissue in clinical research dates back to the 1960s when Dr. Leonard Hayflick, a scientist at the Wistar Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, created WI-38 cells from an aborted four-month-gestation fetus. — Chelsey Cox, USA TODAY, "Fact check: COVID-19 vaccine 'morally acceptable,' Vatican says but some claims missing context," 29 Dec. 2020 The Catholic church argues against using cells derived from an aborted human fetus, which have in the past in been used in vaccine development process. — Marina Starleaf Riker, ExpressNews.com, "Archbishop of San Antonio to parishioners: ‘We need to be vaccinated.’," 16 Dec. 2020 Neither the Pfizer nor Moderna COVID-19 vaccine contains the live SARS-CoV-2 virus, so there is no risk of the pregnant woman or her fetus developing COVID-19. — William Petri, The Conversation, "Should pregnant women get the COVID-19 vaccine? Will it protect against asymptomatic infections and mutated viruses? An immunologist answers 3 questions," 23 Dec. 2020 Clinics would have to fill out a new form for the Ohio Department of Health about whether the woman chose to be involved in the disposition of the fetus’ remains, according to the bill. — Laura Hancock, cleveland, "Ohio House passes bill requiring burial or cremation of fetuses after abortions," 4 Dec. 2020 Now, the tech is doing an ultrasound and says there are no signs of a fetus. — refinery29.com, "Fertility Diary: 2 Rounds Of IVF & Chronic Endometritis," 30 Nov. 2020 Is the vaccine safe for the pregnant woman and her fetus? — Shefali Luthra, USA TODAY, "Pregnant women haven’t been included in promising COVID vaccine trials," 23 Nov. 2020

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.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about fetus

Dictionary Entries near fetus

fettuccine Alfredo

Statistics for fetus

Last Updated

15 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Fetus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fetus. Accessed 21 Jan. 2021.

Keep scrolling for more

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

fe·tus | \ ˈfē-təs

\

Kids Definition of fetus

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

fetus

fe·tus

variants: or chiefly British foetus \ ˈfēt-əs

How to pronounce fetus (audio)

\

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

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

exact

Listen to the pronunciation of exact

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words of Snow and Ice Quiz

Which of the following refers to thin, bending ice, or to the act of running over such ice?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

Anagram puzzles meet word search.