fetal

American  

[feet-l] / ˈfit l /

especially British, foetal

adjective

Embryology.

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

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fetal British  

/ ˈfiːtəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling a fetus

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Other Word Forms

• postfetal
  adjective
• postfoetal
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of fetal

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

Explanation

Something that's fetal relates to the developing offspring of an animal before it's born. Fetal growth can be measured using sonograms and other tools. A fetal animal is also called a fetus, and something humans have in common with all other animals is our beginning in a fetal form, before our birth. Fetal development describes the way a fetus grows and changes over time, and when someone's in a fetal position, they're curled forward with bent arms and legs — like a fetus in its mother's womb. Fetal stems from the Latin fetus, "the bearing of young," or "a bringing forth."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

fetal

To investigate how the human eye develops, the researchers used organoids, small clusters of tissue grown from fetal cells that closely mimic parts of the retina.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 9, 2026

He introduced bills for a clearer medical exception and protection for doctors who intervened in cases where a fatal fetal anomaly risked the mother’s health.

From Salon ● Jun. 8, 2026

"I get into bed in the fetal position and my shoulder is absolutely killing me."

From BBC ● Apr. 14, 2026

Particulate matter from fossil fuel emissions is also linked to cardiovascular events and negative effects on maternal fetal health.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 23, 2026

He was in a fetal position, trying even in death to nestle like a spoon with others.

From "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut