placental

1 of 2

adjective

pla·​cen·​tal plə-ˈsen-tᵊl How to pronounce placental (audio)
1
: of, relating to, having, or occurring by means of a placenta
2

placental

2 of 2

noun

: a placental mammal : eutherian

Examples of placental in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
Like arsenic, cadmium easily crosses the placental barrier to the fetus, potentially causing neurodevelopmental harm. Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 15 May 2025 In addition to bleeding in late pregnancy, placental abruption can also cause sudden abdominal and back pain, cramping and tenderness, and intense contractions. Lisa McCarty, SELF, 21 May 2025
Noun
At first, doctors suspected the tumors might be linked to her difficult delivery, possibly a result of the placental rupture or even an infection. Jordan Greene, People.com, 25 June 2025 In Australia, marsupials became a unique group, and placental mammals, those that develop during pregnancy, started to thrive on other continents. Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for placental

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1785, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1839, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of placental was in 1785

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Cite this Entry

“Placental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/placental. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

Medical Definition

placental

1 of 2 adjective
pla·​cen·​tal -əl How to pronounce placental (audio)
1
: of, relating to, having, involving, or produced by a placenta
placental lactogen
placental defects
2
: of or relating to placental mammals

placental

2 of 2 noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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