in vitro

adverb or adjective

in vi·​tro in-ˈvē-(ˌ)trō How to pronounce in vitro (audio) -ˈvi- How to pronounce in vitro (audio)
-ˈwē-
: outside the living body and in an artificial environment

Examples of in vitro in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The campaign mischaracterizes facts about same-sex parenting through California cases designed to maximize outrage, while specifically targeting in vitro fertilization and surrogacy as purported gateways to promoting LGBTQ+ families. Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026 More than half a century ago, two breakthroughs reshaped ideas about what was biologically and physically possible, the study notes, in reference to the first human landing on the moon and the first successful fertilization of a human egg outside the body through in vitro fertilisation, or IVF. Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 4 Feb. 2026 The couple then decided to switch from IUI to in vitro fertilization. David Chiu, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026 The Liu children were conceived via in vitro fertilization and born to surrogate mothers. Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for in vitro

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, literally, in glass

First Known Use

circa 1894, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of in vitro was circa 1894

Cite this Entry

“In vitro.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20vitro. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

in vitro

adverb or adjective
in vi·​tro in-ˈvē-(ˌ)trō How to pronounce in vitro (audio)
: outside the living body and in an artificial environment
an egg fertilized in vitro
Etymology

Latin, literally, "in glass"

Medical Definition

in vitro

adverb or adjective
: outside the living body and in an artificial environment
growth of cells in vitro
in vitro studies
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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