heartbeat law
noun
plural heartbeat laws
: a law banning abortion typically at six weeks of pregnancy upon the detection of a fetal heartbeat
The Texas heartbeat law, S.B. 8, bans all abortions after fetal cardiac activity is detected, typically around six weeks of pregnancy, before most women know they are pregnant.—
Nathaniel Weixel
Nathaniel WeixelExamples of heartbeat law in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Treatment is not keeping pace The researchers examined death records beginning after the heartbeat law went into effect.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 24 June 2024
The Texas heartbeat law does not provide exceptions for pregnancies involving such conditions.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 24 June 2024
The Ohio Supreme Court will consider whether the Ohio 1st District Court of Appeals, where Democrats hold a 3-1 majority, should have denied Yost’s appeal of Hamilton County Judge Christian Jenkins’ decision placing the heartbeat law on hold indefinitely while Jenkins considers the case.
—cleveland, 10 Aug. 2023
Shortly after that decision, the heartbeat law, which Gov. Mike DeWine signed in January 2019, went into effect.
—cleveland, 10 Aug. 2023
In the fall hearing, the state court’s justices will also review whether those groups that sued over the heartbeat law have legal standing in their case.
—David Zimmermann, Washington Examiner, 10 Aug. 2023
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.
Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 24 June 2024
The Texas heartbeat law does not provide exceptions for pregnancies involving such conditions.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 24 June 2024
The Ohio Supreme Court will consider whether the Ohio 1st District Court of Appeals, where Democrats hold a 3-1 majority, should have denied Yost’s appeal of Hamilton County Judge Christian Jenkins’ decision placing the heartbeat law on hold indefinitely while Jenkins considers the case.
—cleveland, 10 Aug. 2023
Shortly after that decision, the heartbeat law, which Gov. Mike DeWine signed in January 2019, went into effect.
—cleveland, 10 Aug. 2023
In the fall hearing, the state court’s justices will also review whether those groups that sued over the heartbeat law have legal standing in their case.
—David Zimmermann, Washington Examiner, 10 Aug. 2023
Dictionary Entries Near heartbeat law
Cite this Entry
“Heartbeat law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heartbeat%20law. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share