in vitro fertilization

American  

noun

1. 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.

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in vitro fertilization British  

noun

1.  IVF.  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 uterus

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in vitro fertilization Scientific  

1. Fertilization of an egg outside the body of a female by the addition of sperm, as a means of producing a zygote.

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Etymology

Origin of in vitro fertilization

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Nelson was still married in 2020 when the fertility clinic called her at work with devastating news: Her husband had just requested the destruction of the embryos they created through in vitro fertilization, or IVF.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 23, 2025

Clinics can lower the risk of miscarriages among women age 40 from 50% to 10% by conducting genetic tests on embryos created with in vitro fertilization before they are implanted, she said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 3, 2025

After nearly two years of in vitro fertilization treatment, the Okulas announced their pregnancy by posting a video on Hailey’s popular “Rn New Grads” Instagram account in September 2024.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2025

What about in vitro fertilization treatments or ear piercings?

From Slate • Feb. 12, 2025

When that didn’t work, he recommended we move to in vitro fertilization.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama