uterus

[ yoo-ter-uhs ]

noun,plural u·ter·i [yoo-tuh-rahy], /ˈyu təˌraɪ/, u·ter·us·es.Anatomy, Zoology.
  1. the enlarged, muscular, expandable portion of the oviduct in which the fertilized ovum implants and develops or rests during prenatal development; the womb of certain mammals.

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Origin of uterus

1
1605–15; <Latin: the womb, matrix; akin to Greek hystéra womb, Sanskrit udara belly

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British Dictionary definitions for uterus

uterus

/ (ˈjuːtərəs) /


nounplural uteri (ˈjuːtəˌraɪ)
  1. anatomy a hollow muscular organ lying within the pelvic cavity of female mammals. It houses the developing fetus and by contractions aids in its expulsion at parturition: Nontechnical name: womb

  2. the corresponding organ in other animals

Origin of uterus

1
C17: from Latin; compare Greek hustera womb, hoderos belly, Sanskrit udara belly

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for uterus

uterus

[ yōōtər-əs ]


Plural uteri (yōōtə-rī′) uteruses
  1. The hollow, muscular organ of female mammals in which the embryo develops. In most mammals the uterus is divided into two saclike parts, whereas in primates it is a single structure. It lies between the bladder and rectum and is attached to the vagina and the fallopian tubes. During the menstrual cycle (estrus), the lining of the uterus (endometrium) undergoes changes that permit the implantation of a fertilized egg. Also called womb See more at menstrual cycle.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for uterus

uterus

[ (yooh-tuh-ruhs) ]


A pear-shaped organ in the female reproductive system where the embryo or fetus develops until birth. The strong muscles of the uterus help push the baby out of the mother's body.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.