uterus

[ yoo-ter-uhs ]

/ ˈyu tər əs /

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noun, plural u·ter·i

[yoo-tuh-rahy], /ˈyu təˌraɪ/, u·ter·us·es.Anatomy, Zoology.

the enlarged, muscular, expandable portion of the oviduct in which the fertilized ovum implants and develops or rests during prenatal development; the womb of certain mammals.

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Origin of uterus

1605–15; <Latin: the womb, matrix; akin to Greek hystéra womb, Sanskrit udara belly

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use uterus in a sentence

Other uteri, tainted by low, regular doses of progesterone and/or witchcraft, become evil.
Getting to Know the ‘Beyoncé Voter’|Kelly Williams Brown|July 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Prolapsis uteri is another, and a third to which he particularly alludes is difficulty in parturition.
Man And His Ancestor|Charles Morris
Numquid potest mulier obliuisci infantem suum ut non misereatur filio uteri sui.
Selections from early Middle English, 1130-1250|Various
Besides, by adopting this practice, we sacrifice the whole of the effects derived from pressure on the fundus uteri.
The Matron's Manual of Midwifery, and the Diseases of Women During Pregnancy and in Childbed|Frederick Hollick

In some cases I have been induced, from the symptoms, to believe that the placenta was at the os uteri when it was not.
The Matron's Manual of Midwifery, and the Diseases of Women During Pregnancy and in Childbed|Frederick Hollick
This operation is easily and speedily performed when the os uteri is widely dilated and dilatable.
The Matron's Manual of Midwifery, and the Diseases of Women During Pregnancy and in Childbed|Frederick Hollick

British Dictionary definitions for uterus

uterus

/ (ˈjuːtərəs) /

noun plural uteri (ˈjuːtəˌraɪ)

anatomy a hollow muscular organ lying within the pelvic cavity of female mammals. It houses the developing fetus and by contractions aids in its expulsion at parturitionNontechnical name: womb

the corresponding organ in other animals

Word Origin for uterus

C17: from Latin; compare Greek hustera womb, hoderos belly, Sanskrit udara belly

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

Scientific definitions for uterus

uterus

[ yōō′tər-əs ]

Plural uteri (yōō′tə-rī′) uteruses

The hollow, muscular organ of female mammals in which the embryo develops. In most mammals the uterus is divided into two saclike parts, whereas in primates it is a single structure. It lies between the bladder and rectum and is attached to the vagina and the fallopian tubes. During the menstrual cycle (estrus), the lining of the uterus (endometrium) undergoes changes that permit the implantation of a fertilized egg. Also called womb See more at menstrual cycle.

Cultural definitions for uterus

uterus

[ (yooh-tuh-ruhs) ]

A pear-shaped organ in the female reproductive system where the embryo or fetus develops until birth. The strong muscles of the uterus help push the baby out of the mother's body.