fetus

noun

fe·​tus ˈfē-təs 

: 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

The murder of the pregnant person and forcible removal of a fetus from their uterus is the culmination of a crime that took extensive planning. —Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 18 June 2026

The fetus would—obviously—die, but the laboring woman might survive. —Literary Hub, 16 June 2026

Prosecutors said on Saturday, June 13, that the remains of 32 human fetuses were discovered, per TVP World. —Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 14 June 2026

Most people who become infected never develop symptoms, but if a person becomes infected for the first time during pregnancy or shortly before conceiving, the parasite can cross the placenta and infect the fetus. —Dr. Megan Yanny, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026

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

Rhymes for fetus

• foetus
• meatus
• thetis
• treatise
• caritas
• mellitus
• cellulitis
• margaritas
• tonsillitis

Kids Definition

fetus

noun

fe·​tus ˈfēt-əs 

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

ˈfēt-əs 

plural fetuses or chiefly British foetuses or foeti ˈfēt-ˌī 

: 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