placenta
noun
pla·cen·ta
plə-ˈsen-tə 
plural placentas or placentae
plə-ˈsen-(ˌ)tē
1
: the vascular organ in mammals except monotremes and marsupials that unites the fetus to the maternal uterus and mediates its metabolic exchanges through a more or less intimate association of uterine mucosal with chorionic and usually allantoic tissues
also
: an analogous organ in another animal
2
: a sporangium-bearing surface
especially
: the part of the carpel bearing ovules
Examples of placenta in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While those who are pregnant and who've been exposed to the virus in the past are immune to the infection, between one-third to two-thirds of pregnant people are not, placing their baby at risk of anemia or death if the virus spreads from the mom to the baby through the placenta.
—
Elizabeth B. Kim, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
He was wrapped in a blanket inside a plastic bag and even had his placenta still attached, the outlet notes.
—Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 26 June 2025
These tiny, almost invisible plastic particles have been found in arteries, hearts, lungs, blood, placentas, breast milk, penises and testicles, among other body parts.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 13 May 2025
Other research also suggests that microplastics may harm other vital organs, including the liver, kidneys, lungs, placenta, testicles, and tonsils.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for placenta
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Elizabeth B. Kim, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
He was wrapped in a blanket inside a plastic bag and even had his placenta still attached, the outlet notes.
—Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 26 June 2025
These tiny, almost invisible plastic particles have been found in arteries, hearts, lungs, blood, placentas, breast milk, penises and testicles, among other body parts.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 13 May 2025
Other research also suggests that microplastics may harm other vital organs, including the liver, kidneys, lungs, placenta, testicles, and tonsils.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for placenta
Cite this Entry
“Placenta.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/placenta. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
placenta
noun
pla·cen·ta
plə-ˈsent-ə
plural placentas or placentae
-ˈsent-ē
: the organ in most mammals by which the fetus is joined to the uterus of the mother and is nourished
placental
adjective
-ˈsent-ᵊl
Medical Definition
placenta
noun
pla·cen·ta
plə-ˈsent-ə
plural placentas or placentae
-ˈsent-(ˌ)ē
: the vascular organ in mammals except monotremes and marsupials that unites the fetus to the maternal uterus and mediates its metabolic exchanges through a more or less intimate association of uterine mucosal with chorionic and usually allantoic tissues permitting exchange of material by diffusion between the maternal and fetal vascular systems but without direct contact between maternal and fetal blood and typically involving the interlocking of fingerlike vascular chorionic villi with corresponding modified areas of the uterine mucosa see abruptio placentae
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