fetus

noun

fe·​tus ˈfē-təs 

: an unborn or unhatched vertebrate especially after attaining the basic structural plan of its kind

specifically : a developing human from usually two months after conception to birth compare embryo sense 1a

Examples of fetus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This included Lauren Handy, the controversial activist inside whose home authorities discovered five fetuses in 2022. —Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025

In Georgia, for example, residents can claim a fetus as a dependent on state taxes. —Sam Gringlas, NPR, 21 May 2025

When an egg burrows into this tissue to start growing into a fetus, the blood vessels may bleed slightly. —Lisa McCarty, SELF, 21 May 2025

Now more than 21 weeks into her pregnancy, Smith’s case is on track to become one of the longest instances of life support being used solely to incubate a fetus in a legally deceased patient. —Jameelah Nasheed, Essence, 21 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin, act of bearing young, offspring; akin to Latin fetus newly delivered, fruitful — more at feminine

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fetus

• foetus
• meatus
• thetis
• treatise
• caritas
• civitas
• cellulitis
• margaritas
• tonsillitis

Kids Definition

fetus

noun

fe·​tus ˈfēt-əs 

plural fetuses

: a young animal while in the body of its mother or in the egg especially in the later stages of development

especially : a developing human being in the uterus from usually two months after pregnancy occurs to birth compare embryo sense 1

Medical Definition

fetus

noun

fe·​tus

variants or chiefly British foetus

ˈfēt-əs 

plural fetuses or chiefly British foetuses or foeti ˈfēt-ˌī 

: an unborn or unhatched vertebrate especially after attaining the basic structural plan of its kind

specifically : a developing human from usually two months after conception to birth compare embryo