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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Everything was smooth sailing until 19 weeks into Kaitlynn's pregnancy, when doctors noticed the fetus was measuring at 17 weeks. Angela Andaloro, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024 While the fetus is perceived as a human being, underlines the director, children born around that time haven’t fully developed vital organs, which puts them at high risk, also of future health problems. Marta Balaga, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024 Case in point: Thea Thompson, a St. Petersburg mother and nurse who was excited to have a second child, learned last month, at 18 weeks pregnant, that the fetus wasn't going to survive, WUSF reported. Kathryn Varn, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024 If the infection was in Crain’s uterus, the fetus would likely need to be removed with a surgery. Lizzie Presser and Kavitha Surana, CNN, 3 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fetus 

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 24 Nov. 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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