teratogen

American  

[tuh-rat-uh-juhn, -jen, ter-uh-tuh-] / təˈræt ə dʒən, -ˌdʒɛn, ˈtɛr ə tə- /

noun

Biology.

1. a drug or other substance capable of interfering with the development of a fetus, causing birth defects.

---

teratogen British  

/ ˈtɛrətədʒən, tɪˈrætə- /

noun

1. any substance, organism, or process that causes malformations in a fetus. Teratogens include certain drugs (such as thalidomide), infections (such as German measles), and ionizing radiation

---

teratogen Scientific  

/ tə-răt′ə-jən,tĕr′ə-tə- /

1. An agent, such as a virus, a drug, or radiation, that can cause malformations in an embryo or fetus.

---

Other Word Forms

• teratogenic
  adjective
• teratogenicist
  noun
• teratogenicity
  noun

Etymology

Origin of teratogen

First recorded in 1900–05; terato- + -gen

Example Sentences

"It really is like a teratogen in pregnancy, a factor which interferes with normal fetal development, but it's still not taken seriously by a lot of medical professionals," Fejzo says.

From Science Daily • May 22, 2024

Thalidomide, a well-known teratogen in humans, and retinoid derivatives -- used in treatments against leukaemia, psoriasis, and acne -- are known to cause severe heart defects in the fetus.

From Science Daily • Nov. 28, 2023

Initially, the courts concerned themselves with a narrow set of questions: Was Bendectin a teratogen?

From Salon • Feb. 23, 2020

Experts told the family the most likely explanation was an exposure to a "teratogen" — a medical term that literally means "monster-producing."

From Salon • Feb. 23, 2020

Hawes already had a 1985 company document showing frit contained more than 1 percent lead oxide, a teratogen, but found it to be of little value.

From Slate • Jul. 2, 2015