: 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
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The research that is now available shows that cannabinoid receptors are present in the fetus as early as 5 weeks, and the main psychoactive component of cannabis, THC, can cross the placenta and transfer into breast milk – and that exposure is associated with risks of adverse outcomes.
—
Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
Risks of marijuana in pregnancy After a pregnant woman uses marijuana in any form, the cannabis crosses into the fetus.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Exposure is especially dangerous to developing fetuses and children, potentially causing learning difficulties, low IQ and behavioral changes.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
With Wegovy specifically, animal reproduction studies suggest potential risks to the fetus from semaglutide exposure.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fetus
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Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
Risks of marijuana in pregnancy After a pregnant woman uses marijuana in any form, the cannabis crosses into the fetus.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Exposure is especially dangerous to developing fetuses and children, potentially causing learning difficulties, low IQ and behavioral changes.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
With Wegovy specifically, animal reproduction studies suggest potential risks to the fetus from semaglutide exposure.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 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 22 Sep. 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
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