fetus

noun

fe·​tus ˈfē-təs 

: 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

Doctors didn’t induce labor until her fetus no longer had a heartbeat. —CNN, 21 Feb. 2025

This is where a fertilized egg grows and develops into an embryo and a fetus. —Andrea L. Braden, Verywell Health, 14 Feb. 2025

Threat level: Implicit bias can also affect the well-being of expectant Black mothers and their fetuses. —Steph Solis, Axios, 11 Feb. 2025

After Handy's indictment, police found five fetuses in her home. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025

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

Rhymes for fetus

• foetus
• meatus
• thetis
• treatise
• caritas
• civitas
• cellulitis
• margaritas
• tonsillitis

Kids Definition

fetus

noun

fe·​tus ˈfēt-əs 

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

ˈfēt-əs 

plural fetuses or chiefly British foetuses or foeti ˈfēt-ˌī 

: 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