: 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
For instance, in Indiana and Iowa, lethal fetal anomaly exceptions (when the fetus is unlikely to survive outside the womb or will die shortly after birth) are only applicable up to 22 weeks from an individual's last menstrual period.
—
Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
That's because the drug is less likely to cause damage to the fetus' kidneys or heart than ibuprofen, commonly known as Advil, and it's considered safe by the FDA for use during pregnancy.
—Michael Franco, New Atlas, 1 Mar. 2025
This occurred despite warnings to expectant moms about the dangers of cannabis on an unborn fetus.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 12 Feb. 2025
Basically, as soon as sperm meets egg and becomes an embryo, the resulting fetus is a child, with the same protections.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fetus
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.
Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
That's because the drug is less likely to cause damage to the fetus' kidneys or heart than ibuprofen, commonly known as Advil, and it's considered safe by the FDA for use during pregnancy.
—Michael Franco, New Atlas, 1 Mar. 2025
This occurred despite warnings to expectant moms about the dangers of cannabis on an unborn fetus.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 12 Feb. 2025
Basically, as soon as sperm meets egg and becomes an embryo, the resulting fetus is a child, with the same protections.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fetus
Cite this Entry
“Fetus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fetus. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share