fetus

noun

fe·​tus ˈfē-təs How to pronounce fetus (audio)
: 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 Even the dissent concedes that human embryos and fetuses in the womb fall under the protection of the statute — and had done so well before Dobbs. The Editors, National Review, 23 Feb. 2024 She is shown only as an unborn fetus; in a flash-forward, she’s portrayed as Anya Taylor-Joy. Lucas Trevor, Washington Post, 4 Mar. 2024 Some states have similarly extended child abuse laws to cover a fetus. Emily Bazelon, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2024 Paul’s sister Alia only appears as a fetus (albeit one awakened to universal consciousness) and briefly as a vision of her older self in a dream, portrayed by Anya Taylor-Joy. Christian Holub, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2024 Grall’s bill allowed people to receive damages for wrongful death regardless of the age of the fetus. Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2024 In 2011, a court decision in Alabama in the case of Mack v. Carmack – in which the plaintiff had a miscarriage after a car accident – found that the Wrongful Death Act could be applied to the death of the fetus in the miscarriage. Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 24 Feb. 2024 Pregnant women can also pass the infection on to a fetus or newborn child. Mark Kortepeter, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024 Side sleeping has a few variants, namely the fetus and log positions. Brianna Kamienski, The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fetus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of fetus was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near fetus

Cite this Entry

“Fetus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fetus. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fetus

noun
fe·​tus ˈfēt-əs How to pronounce fetus (audio)
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
plural fetuses or chiefly British foetuses or foeti ˈfēt-ˌī How to pronounce fetus (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on fetus

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