fetal

[ feet-l ]

adjective

, Embryology.

1. of, relating to, or having the character of a fetus.

fetal

/ ˈfiːtəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling a fetus

Other Words From

• post·fetal adjective
• post·foetal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fetal¹

First recorded in 1735–45; fet(us) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

In Florida, which bans abortion beyond six weeks — a point when most women don’t even know they’re pregnant — Amendment 4 would have constitutionally guaranteed a right to an abortion up to the point of fetal viability, which is roughly 24 weeks.

From Los Angeles Times

Abortion is legal to the point of fetal viability in Montana, for example, but lawmakers there have repeatedly tried to restrict it.

From Los Angeles Times

When a reporter pressed Trump on Tuesday for how he voted on Florida’s abortion ballot measure that would prevent any laws restricting abortion until fetal viability, he snapped, “You should stop talking about that.”

From Los Angeles Times

The measure is seen as a victory and will allow abortion after fetal viability to be accessible in cases to protect the life, physical or mental health of the pregnant woman.

From Salon

The initiative sought to prohibit any laws that “penalize, delay, or restrict abortion” before fetal viability.

From Salon