fetal

adjective

fe·​tal ˈfē-tᵊl How to pronounce fetal (audio)
: of, relating to, or being a fetus

Examples of fetal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Amniotic fluid entering your bloodstream is a normal part of childbirth, but some people have a severe allergic response to the amniotic fluid, which is mostly water with fetal cells and tissue, mixing with their blood. Sarah Lynch Baldwin, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2025 Based on the calf’s fetal folds and distinctive orange coloring, experts suggest the creature was around one to two weeks old at the time of the initial sightings. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2025 According to Elliott, two of the babies shared the same amniotic sac and had the umbilical cord inserted into the fetal membranes instead of the placenta, which could have resulted in a 30-40% risk of death. Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025 The gown is made of super-soft and stretchy jersey and features full-length snaps in the back for epidural or fetal monitoring. Nora Colomer, Fox News, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fetal

Word History

First Known Use

1736, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fetal was in 1736

Cite this Entry

“Fetal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fetal. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

fetal

adjective
fe·​tal ˈfēt-ᵊl How to pronounce fetal (audio)
: of, relating to, or being a fetus

Medical Definition

fetal

adjective
fe·​tal
variants or chiefly British foetal
: of, relating to, or being a fetus

More from Merriam-Webster on fetal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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