in utero

American

[in yoo-tuh-roh] / ɪn ˈyu təˌroʊ /

adverb

in the uterus; unborn.

in utero British

/ ɪn ˈjuːtəˌrəʊ /

adverb

within the womb

"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

Etymology

Origin of in utero

First recorded in 1705–15, in utero is from Latin in uterō

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Compared with people who were never exposed to rationing, individuals exposed in utero plus 1-2 years had a 20% lower risk of CVD overall.

From Science Daily • Feb. 23, 2026

The mixture contained dioxin, a deadly substance that not only causes a range of cancers and other illnesses, but is also linked to birth defects for babies exposed in utero.

From Salon • Mar. 19, 2025

Previous studies in smaller populations also link in utero exposure of these drugs with neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring, such as ones linking topiramate and intellectual disability, and those associating valproate and lower IQ.

From Science Daily • Nov. 15, 2024

And why is it ascendant now, when the last alphas are still in utero?

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2024

Something you should understand: I’m not androgynous in the least. 5-alpha-reductase deficiency syndrome allows for normal biosynthesis and peripheral action of testosterone, in utero, neona- tally, and at puberty.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023