ectopic
adjective
ec·top·ic
ek-ˈtä-pik 
: occurring in an abnormal position or in an unusual manner or form
ectopic lesions
Examples of ectopic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Of these pregnancies, around 20% will be ectopic (implanted in places other than the uterus) and nonviable (not capable of developing).
—
Corey Whelan, Verywell Health, 24 Jan. 2025
Bleeding is a sign of an ectopic pregnancy.13 Miscarriage: The loss of pregnancy, known as miscarriage, can cause bleeding.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 4 Jan. 2025
Women who have ectopic and molar pregnancies and other complications that are life-threatening are forced to carry (sometimes dead or non-viable) fetuses.
—The Tennessean, 1 Aug. 2024
During the 2023 legislative session, state lawmakers carved out exceptions for ectopic and molar pregnancies — complications that guarantee a pregnancy will not be viable.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 24 Apr. 2024
Similarly, what happens when there are complications from a wanted pregnancy that needs to be terminated (e.g., ectopic, molar, or otherwise nonviable pregnancies) after six weeks?
—Brynn Tannehill, The New Republic, 14 Sep. 2023
The governor signed a new bill in April that provides exemptions for ectopic and other nonviable pregnancies and allows abortions if a woman’s life is at risk.
—Currie Engel, Women's Health, 22 June 2023
About 1 in every 30,000 pregnancies are ectopic, Mayo Clinic states.
—Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 5 Oct. 2022
This situation can also arise when treating ectopic pregnancies; in some edge cases, the fetus can grow to the point where cardiac activity is detected.
—Wired, 7 Aug. 2022
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Corey Whelan, Verywell Health, 24 Jan. 2025
Bleeding is a sign of an ectopic pregnancy.13 Miscarriage: The loss of pregnancy, known as miscarriage, can cause bleeding.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 4 Jan. 2025
Women who have ectopic and molar pregnancies and other complications that are life-threatening are forced to carry (sometimes dead or non-viable) fetuses.
—The Tennessean, 1 Aug. 2024
During the 2023 legislative session, state lawmakers carved out exceptions for ectopic and molar pregnancies — complications that guarantee a pregnancy will not be viable.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 24 Apr. 2024
Similarly, what happens when there are complications from a wanted pregnancy that needs to be terminated (e.g., ectopic, molar, or otherwise nonviable pregnancies) after six weeks?
—Brynn Tannehill, The New Republic, 14 Sep. 2023
The governor signed a new bill in April that provides exemptions for ectopic and other nonviable pregnancies and allows abortions if a woman’s life is at risk.
—Currie Engel, Women's Health, 22 June 2023
About 1 in every 30,000 pregnancies are ectopic, Mayo Clinic states.
—Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 5 Oct. 2022
This situation can also arise when treating ectopic pregnancies; in some edge cases, the fetus can grow to the point where cardiac activity is detected.
—Wired, 7 Aug. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Ectopic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ectopic. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
ectopic
adjective
ec·top·ic
ek-ˈtäp-ik
1
: occurring in an abnormal position
an ectopic kidney
compare entopic
2
: originating in an area of the heart other than the sinoatrial node
ectopic beats
also
: initiating ectopic heartbeats
an ectopic pacemaker
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