fetal position

noun

: a position (as of a sleeping person) in which the body lies curled up on one side with the arms and legs drawn up and the head bowed forward and which is assumed in some forms of psychic regression

Examples of fetal position in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Consequences to that decision show up very early in the seven-episode second season, which doesn't relent until you're left clutching your knees in the fetal position…but in a good way. —Ew Staff, EW.com, 11 Apr. 2025

Then, the deputies saw a small puppy curled up in the fetal position and dead inside a pizza box, according to Swanson. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? —Chris Spargo, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025

Gregorian chant music, my Buddhist wisdom, The Great British Baking Show, Somebody Feed Phil, and, of course, The Nanny all became the equivalent of twirling my hair, sucking my thumb, and curling up in a fetal position. —Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 29 Mar. 2025

The body was reportedly found in the fetal position. —Laura Barcella, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fetal position

• academician
• cycloaddition
• decomposition
• diagnostician
• disinhibition
• indisposition
• interposition
• juxtaposition
• mathematician
• metacognition
• metaphysician
• neurotransmission

Medical Definition

fetal position

noun

: a position (as of a sleeping person) in which the body lies curled up on one side with the arms and legs drawn up toward the chest and the head is bowed forward and which is assumed in some forms of psychological regression