: 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
Pregnancy and childbirth are other risk factors for iron deficiency, because the fetus will absorb a significant amount of iron in the body.
—
Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
In such cases, service members either have to pay out of pocket for abortions or carry to term fetuses that won’t survive outside the womb.
—Erin Edwards, ProPublica, 13 Dec. 2024
It is not known if topical retinoids could pose danger to a fetus, but most dermatologists and OBGYNs don’t believe the risk is worth taking and recommend avoiding all retinoids—even weaker versions sold over the counter in the U.S.—during pregnancy.
—Jasmine Browley, Allure, 13 Dec. 2024
In some cases, doctors must terminate a pregnancy to save the patient's life, particularly when the fetus cannot survive.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fetus 
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Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
In such cases, service members either have to pay out of pocket for abortions or carry to term fetuses that won’t survive outside the womb.
—Erin Edwards, ProPublica, 13 Dec. 2024
It is not known if topical retinoids could pose danger to a fetus, but most dermatologists and OBGYNs don’t believe the risk is worth taking and recommend avoiding all retinoids—even weaker versions sold over the counter in the U.S.—during pregnancy.
—Jasmine Browley, Allure, 13 Dec. 2024
In some cases, doctors must terminate a pregnancy to save the patient's life, particularly when the fetus cannot survive.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fetus
Dictionary Entries Near fetus
Cite this Entry
“Fetus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fetus. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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
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