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 Word Forms

• 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

“I was in the fetal position,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

One executive order aimed to end "forced use of Federal taxpayer dollars to fund or promote elective abortion" domestically, while another anti-trans action he signed included language implicating fetal personhood.

From Salon

In 2025, lawmakers in at least these eleven states introduced bills aimed at backing fetal personhood.

From Salon

To study infections during pregnancy loss, ProPublica identified all hospitalizations that included miscarriages, terminations and births from the beginning of the second trimester up to 22 weeks’ gestation, before fetal viability.

From Salon

The witness testified that she spotted Lockhart in a nearby yard two years ago on June 30, apparently clutching her belly in pain and lying in the fetal position.

From Los Angeles Times