in vitro
[ in vee-troh ]
/ ɪn ˈvi troʊ /
adverb, adjective
(of a biological process) made to occur in a laboratory vessel or other controlled experimental environment rather than within a living organism or natural setting.
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Nearby words
Compare in vivo.
Origin of in vitro
First recorded in 1890–95, in vitro is from the Latin word in vitrō literally, in glass
Definition for in vitro (2 of 2)
in vitro fertilization
noun
a specialized technique by which an ovum, especially a human one, is fertilized by sperm outside the body, with the resulting embryo later implanted in the uterus for gestation.
Origin of in vitro fertilization
First recorded in 1970–75
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for in vitro
In-vitro fertilization could also come under threat, opponents say, as the process can result in discarded embryos.
‘Personhood’ Leader Keith Mason Says His Family Home Was Attacked|Abigail Pesta|July 2, 2012|DAILY BEASTMason said opponents use birth control and in-vitro fertilization as "scare tactics."
‘Personhood’ Leader Keith Mason: Oklahoma Ruling Helps the Movement|Abigail Pesta|April 30, 2012|DAILY BEAST
British Dictionary definitions for in vitro (1 of 2)
in vitro
/ (ɪn ˈviːtrəʊ) /
adverb, adjective
(of biological processes or reactions) made to occur outside the living organism in an artificial environment, such as a culture medium
Word Origin for in vitro
New Latin, literally: in glass
British Dictionary definitions for in vitro (2 of 2)
in vitro fertilization
noun
a technique enabling some women who are unable to conceive to bear children. Egg cells removed from a woman's ovary are fertilized by sperm in vitro; some of the resulting fertilized egg cells are incubated until the blastocyst stage, which are then implanted into her uterusAbbreviation: IVF
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
Medicine definitions for in vitro (1 of 2)
in vitro
[ ĭn vē′trō ]
adj.
In an artificial environment outside a living organism.
Related forms
in vi′tro adv.Medicine definitions for in vitro (2 of 2)
in vitro fertilization
n.
Fertilization of an egg outside the body of a female by the addition of sperm, as a means of producing a zygote.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Science definitions for in vitro (1 of 2)
in vitro
[ ĭn vē′trō ]
In an artificial environment, such as a test tube. Compare in vivo.
Science definitions for in vitro (2 of 2)
in vitro fertilization
Fertilization of an egg outside the body of a female by the addition of sperm, as a means of producing a zygote.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Culture definitions for in vitro
in vitro
[ (in vee-troh) ]
In the laboratory; literally, “in glass” (laboratory experiments are often carried out in glass containers). In vitro conditions are distinguished from conditions that actually apply in nature. (Compare in vivo.)
Note
In vitro appears in the expression in vitro fertilization, a way of producing human embryos in a laboratory.
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.