fetal

adjective

fe·​tal ˈfē-tᵊl How to pronounce fetal (audio)
: of, relating to, or being a fetus

Examples of fetal 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.
Within eight months, 28 women with severe pregnancy complications before fetal viability had come through the doors of Parkland and Clements. Kavitha Surana, CNN Money, 12 May 2025 Avocados are a nutrient-dense fruit, offering fiber, healthy fats, folate and lutein—nutrients known to support fetal and infant development. Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025 Or, in states that have established fetal personhood, officials might pass ordinances that could ensnare pregnant people in human trafficking charges. Odette Yousef, NPR, 8 May 2025 The complaint said pieces of the fetal skull were removed from the woman’s intestine one piece at a time. Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fetal

Word History

First Known Use

1736, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fetal was in 1736

Cite this Entry

“Fetal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fetal. Accessed 19 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

fetal

adjective
fe·​tal ˈfēt-ᵊl How to pronounce fetal (audio)
: of, relating to, or being a fetus

Medical Definition

fetal

adjective
fe·​tal
variants or chiefly British foetal
: of, relating to, or being a fetus

More from Merriam-Webster on fetal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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