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in utero

American  
[in yoo-tuh-roh] / ɪn ˈju təˌroʊ /

adverb

  1. in the uterus; unborn.


in utero British  
/ ɪn ˈjuːtəˌrəʊ /

adverb

  1. 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.

See Examples For:

Do I plan to sign up for Good Inside Baby during my second son’s final weeks in utero?

From Slate May 10, 2026

When she managed to travel to New York for an abortion, Phillips learned that her baby had died in utero, putting her at high risk of blood clots and infection.

From Slate May 4, 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

I think my mom read somewhere that I’d be able to hear it in utero.

From "Leah on the Offbeat" by Becky Albertalli

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