in vitro

adverb or adjective

in vi·​tro in-ˈvē-(ˌ)trō How to pronounce in vitro (audio) -ˈvi- How to pronounce in vitro (audio)
-ˈwē-
: outside the living body and in an artificial environment

Examples of in vitro in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web It's been just over a month since the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are children and jeopardized access to in vitro fertilization treatments in the state, bringing the procedure to the forefront of reproductive rights politics. Monica Potts, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2024 Protecting nonviable in vitro embryos raises questions about contraception that prevents implantation – like some IUDs, the devices placed inside a uterus to prevent pregnancy. Ali Martin, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Mar. 2024 After doing one in vitro fertilization cycle during the coronavirus pandemic, Puca was able to get four embryos. Amber Ferguson, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 The push was a reaction to restrictive policies enacted in other states like Florida, as well as the recent Alabama Supreme Court ruling that embryos created through in vitro fertilization are children. Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, 13 Mar. 2024 Alabama lawmakers are moving fast to approve measures to protect in vitro fertilization clinics from lawsuits in response to an uproar sparked by a state supreme court ruling last month that found that frozen embryos have the rights of children. Kim Chandler The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 7 Mar. 2024 Kaine is said to be bringing Elizabeth Carr, the first person in the US to be born via in vitro fertilization, as his guest. Emma Specter, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2024 When the news hit last week that embryos created through in vitro fertilization are considered children under state law − pausing IVF treatment in Alabama clinics − Carr stopped in her tracks. Rachel Looker, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024 An Alabama House bill aimed at protecting in vitro fertilization treatments advanced on Thursday, just a day after being introduced. Brammhi Balarajan, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'in vitro.' 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

New Latin, literally, in glass

First Known Use

circa 1894, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of in vitro was circa 1894

Dictionary Entries Near in vitro

Cite this Entry

“In vitro.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20vitro. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

in vitro

adverb or adjective
in vi·​tro in-ˈvē-(ˌ)trō How to pronounce in vitro (audio)
: outside the living body and in an artificial environment
an egg fertilized in vitro
Etymology

Latin, literally, "in glass"

Medical Definition

in vitro

adverb or adjective
: outside the living body and in an artificial environment
growth of cells in vitro
in vitro studies

More from Merriam-Webster on in vitro

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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