in utero
adverb or adjective
: in the uterus : before birth
a disease acquired in utero
an in utero diagnosis
Examples of in utero in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
High levels of exposure to lead in utero, infancy, and early childhood can lead to neurological effects such as learning disabilities, behavior difficulties, and lowered IQ.
—
Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Small studies had associated acetaminophen exposure in utero with a baby’s risk of developing autism.
—Rachel Pearson, New Yorker, 1 Oct. 2025
Though early studies found a correlation between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism, a landmark 2024 study comparing siblings who were and were not exposed to Tylenol in utero largely debunked the link.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025
Other nongenetic factors, such as premature birth or birth by cesarean section, maternal diabetes and exposure to air pollution or certain antiseizure drugs in utero have been shown to increase a person’s risk of autism in some studies.
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 22 Sep. 2025
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Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Small studies had associated acetaminophen exposure in utero with a baby’s risk of developing autism.
—Rachel Pearson, New Yorker, 1 Oct. 2025
Though early studies found a correlation between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism, a landmark 2024 study comparing siblings who were and were not exposed to Tylenol in utero largely debunked the link.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025
Other nongenetic factors, such as premature birth or birth by cesarean section, maternal diabetes and exposure to air pollution or certain antiseizure drugs in utero have been shown to increase a person’s risk of autism in some studies.
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in utero
Cite this Entry
“In utero.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20utero. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
in utero
adverb or adjective
: in the uterus : before birth
a disease acquired in utero
an in utero diagnosis
Legal Definition
in utero
adverb or adjective
: in the uterus : before birth
an injury suffered in utero
that her condition could possibly be linked to in utero exposure—Burgess v. Eli Lilly & Co., 995 F.2d 646 (1993)
Burgess v. Eli Lilly & Co., 995 F.2d 646 (1993)Etymology
Latin
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