meconium
noun
me·co·ni·um
mi-ˈkō-nē-əm 
: a dark greenish mass that accumulates in the bowel during fetal life and is discharged shortly after birth
Examples of meconium in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There also is a risk of pneumonia, which is caused by meconium aspiration, fecal contamination, and bacteria from tub water.
—
Bekka Besich, Parents, 3 Sep. 2023
These range from infection and meconium aspiration to drowning.
—Bekka Besich, Parents, 3 Sep. 2023
Armstead knew this meant the state probably didn’t have the meconium evidence.
—Cary Aspinwall, al, 25 July 2023
The amniotic fluid smells foul, looks greenish or brownish, or contains lots of blood: These qualities could indicate fetal distress, or that the baby has passed meconium (the first bowel movement), explains Brichter, in which case your provider will want to check in on your baby.
—Nicole Harris, Parents, 6 July 2023
Oscar spent his first two nights in the NICU due to meconium aspiration syndrome, but aside from that, my pregnancy was normal and my delivery was typical.
—Melissa Petro, Time, 3 Nov. 2022
There was no food but meconium, the dark fluid that is in the stomach of fetuses and newborns until replaced with milk or formula.
—Cory Shaffer, cleveland, 12 June 2022
Over the last year, research has shown the presence of these particles in human blood, healthy lung tissue and meconium — the first bowel movement of a newborn.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2022
In just the last few months, research has shown the presence of plastic particles in human blood, healthy lung tissue and meconium — the first bowel movement of a newborn.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2022
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Bekka Besich, Parents, 3 Sep. 2023
These range from infection and meconium aspiration to drowning.
—Bekka Besich, Parents, 3 Sep. 2023
Armstead knew this meant the state probably didn’t have the meconium evidence.
—Cary Aspinwall, al, 25 July 2023
The amniotic fluid smells foul, looks greenish or brownish, or contains lots of blood: These qualities could indicate fetal distress, or that the baby has passed meconium (the first bowel movement), explains Brichter, in which case your provider will want to check in on your baby.
—Nicole Harris, Parents, 6 July 2023
Oscar spent his first two nights in the NICU due to meconium aspiration syndrome, but aside from that, my pregnancy was normal and my delivery was typical.
—Melissa Petro, Time, 3 Nov. 2022
There was no food but meconium, the dark fluid that is in the stomach of fetuses and newborns until replaced with milk or formula.
—Cory Shaffer, cleveland, 12 June 2022
Over the last year, research has shown the presence of these particles in human blood, healthy lung tissue and meconium — the first bowel movement of a newborn.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2022
In just the last few months, research has shown the presence of plastic particles in human blood, healthy lung tissue and meconium — the first bowel movement of a newborn.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'meconium.' 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
Latin, literally, poppy juice, from Greek mēkōnion, from mēkōn poppy; akin to Old High German mago poppy
First Known Use
circa 1706, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near meconium
Cite this Entry
“Meconium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meconium. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.
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Medical Definition
meconium
noun
me·co·ni·um
mi-ˈkō-nē-əm
: a dark greenish mass of desquamated cells, mucus, and bile that accumulates in the bowel of a fetus and is typically discharged shortly after birth
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