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

They’ve also been detected in blood, breast milk and even meconium — an infant’s first stool. — Susanne Rust follow, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026

What is meconium aspiration syndrome? — Jimmy Wales, Time, 28 Oct. 2025

Some labs are testing newborns’ meconium for toxic byproducts of acetaminophen metabolism — a potential biomarker that could guide safer choices in the future. — Tribune News Service, Twin Cities, 23 Sep. 2025

Although swallowing a small amount of meconium is safe, breathing it in can cause serious respiratory issues. — David Chiu, People.com, 17 Aug. 2025

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

Rhymes for meconium

• conium
• carbonium
• harmonium
• phosphonium
• plutonium
• polonium
• stramonium
• zirconium
• diazonium
• pandemonium
• pelargonium
• testimonium

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