embryonic

adjective

em·​bry·​on·​ic ˌem-brē-ˈä-nik 

1

: of or relating to an embryo

2

: being in an early stage of development : incipient, rudimentary

an embryonic plan

embryonically

ˌem-brē-ˈä-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of embryonic in a Sentence

The tourism industry there is still in an embryonic stage.

Recent Examples on the Web

Based on the landmark findings of Shinya Yamanaka in 2006, the idea is that four key proteins can be used to send a cell back to its embryonic state, essentially removing all biomarkers of aging. —New Atlas, 2 Feb. 2025

Around the 14th day of embryonic development, a key stage in human growth called gastrulation kicks off. —Kristen V. Brown, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2024

The thing that intrigued me was being involved in the script from a much more embryonic stage and being able to influence the characters rather than coming in right at the end as an actor. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2025

Similarly, the test will have allowed Hamilton to establish at least an embryonic relationship with his new race engineer Riccardo Adami. —Dan Cancian, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin embryonicus, from embryon-, embryo embryo + Latin -icus -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1740, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing embryonic

• embryonic disc
• embryonic membrane

Rhymes for embryonic

• anharmonic
• anionic
• avionic
• catatonic
• cationic
• chorionic
• cosmogonic
• diachronic
• diatonic
• electronic
• excitonic
• fermionic

Kids Definition

embryonic

adjective

em·​bry·​on·​ic ˌem-brē-ˈän-ik 

1

: of or relating to an embryo

2

: being in an early stage of development

an embryonic plan

embryonically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

embryonic

adjective

em·​bry·​on·​ic ˌem-brē-ˈän-ik 

1

: of or relating to an embryo

2

: being in an early stage of development : incipient, rudimentary

embryonically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb