Fetus Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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fetus

[ˈfiːtəs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

human anatomy

An unborn or unhatched offspring of a mammal, in particular, an unborn human more than eight weeks after conception.

Synonyms

embryo, unborn baby, unborn child.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
fetus	This is the term used from the end of the embryonic stage (about eight weeks) until birth. It is the standard medical and scientific term. The fetus is now entering its third trimester. Doctors monitored the fetus's development closely.
embryo	This term is used specifically in the early stages of development, typically from conception to eight weeks. The embryo is starting to develop its major organs. During the embryonic stage, rapid cell division occurs.
unborn baby	This phrase is commonly used in everyday language, especially by parents and non-medical professionals. It adds a personal and emotional touch. They received an ultrasound picture of their unborn baby. She could feel the movements of her unborn baby.
unborn child	Similar to 'unborn baby,' this term is used in casual or emotional discussions, often reflecting a personal or moral perspective. They are preparing their home for the arrival of their unborn child. Concerns about the health of the unborn child were discussed.

Examples of usage

The fetus is developing rapidly in the mother's womb.
Ultrasound can detect the fetus's heartbeat.
She is in her third trimester of pregnancy, and the fetus is almost fully developed.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

medical

A human embryo from the end of the eighth week after conception to the moment of birth.

Synonyms

developing baby, preborn child, unborn baby.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
fetus	This term is most commonly used in medical and scientific contexts. It is a neutral term that refers to the developing human from roughly eight weeks after conception until birth. The ultrasound showed that the fetus is developing normally. Doctors can detect genetic abnormalities in the fetus using various prenatal tests.
unborn baby	This term is widely used in everyday language and is easily understandable. It is similar to 'developing baby' but emphasizes the status of the baby before birth. She took great care to ensure the health of her unborn baby by following her doctor's advice. Marcus played music to his wife's belly, hoping their unborn baby could hear it.
developing baby	This phrase is often used in more general or layperson discussions. It is less technical than 'fetus' and is used to describe the unborn child in a way that is easily understood. She was so excited to see the heartbeat of her developing baby during the ultrasound. Parents were given brochures on how to care for their developing baby during pregnancy.
preborn child	This term is less commonly used and can sometimes be found in discussions related to ethical, moral, or anti-abortion contexts. It emphasizes the personhood of the unborn baby. Anti-abortion campaigns often focus on the rights of the preborn child. They held a march advocating for the protection of preborn children.

Examples of usage

The doctor monitored the growth of the fetus during the pregnancy.
The fetus's health is crucial for the well-being of the mother.
The fetus's organs are forming during the second trimester.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'fetus'

The word 'fetus' comes from Latin and means 'offspring' or 'young one'. In medical terminology, it refers to the stage of development of a human or animal before birth. The term has been used for centuries to describe the prenatal stage of a mammal's life cycle.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,831 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

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9828 syrup
9829 tolerant
9830 assertions
9831 fetus
9832 bounty
9833 malicious
9834 weld
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