ectopic pregnancy

noun

: development of a fertilized egg elsewhere than in the uterus (as in a fallopian tube or the peritoneal cavity)

Examples of ectopic pregnancy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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These threats erupted after the Wall Street Journal reported on my life-threatening ectopic pregnancy—a nonviable pregnancy with no heartbeat. Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025 An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants and grows outside the uterus. Abigail Brooks, NBC news, 23 June 2025 But when Thurman arrived at Ascension’s ER in February 2023, the complaint alleges that staff refused to treat her ectopic pregnancy, which is when an embryo implants somewhere else in the body, usually a fallopian tube, rather than the uterus. Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 19 June 2025 An ectopic pregnancy is not caused by mifepristone and should not be considered a serious adverse event. Nicole Brown Chau, CBS News, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for ectopic pregnancy

Word History

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ectopic pregnancy was in 1895

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Cite this Entry

“Ectopic pregnancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ectopic%20pregnancy. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

Medical Definition

ectopic pregnancy

noun
: gestation elsewhere than in the uterus (as in a fallopian tube or in the peritoneal cavity)

called also ectopic gestation, extrauterine gestation, extrauterine pregnancy

More from Merriam-Webster on ectopic pregnancy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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