uterus

American  

[yoo-ter-uhs] / ˈyu tər əs /

noun

Anatomy, Zoology.

plural

uteri, uteruses

1. 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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uterus British  

/ ˈjuːtərəs /

noun

1. Nontechnical name: womb.  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 parturition

2. the corresponding organ in other animals

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uterus Scientific  

/ yo̅o̅′tər-əs /

plural

uteri

1. 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.

2. Also called womb

3. See more at menstrual cycle

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uterus Cultural  

1. 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.

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Etymology

Origin of uterus

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

Compare meaning

How does uterus compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• cervix vs. uterus

Example Sentences

Georgia, where Amber Thurman died after doctors did not try to empty her septic uterus for 20 hours, has not revisited its ban or disciplined key doctors involved.

From Salon • Apr. 20, 2026

This month, the zoo announced Tina was suffering from an infection and abnormal buildup of fluid in her uterus.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

By the time she was diagnosed, she had reached stage 4, with deep infiltrating endometriosis spread across her ligaments, intestine, pelvis, ovaries and uterus.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

The first batch of label changes include HRT products in systemic combination therapy, estrogen-alone therapy, progestogen-alone therapy for women with a uterus using systemic estrogen and topical vaginal estrogen therapy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

The poor woman didn’t have ovaries or a uterus any more.

From "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut