in utero

adverb or adjective

: in the uterus : before birth
a disease acquired in utero
an in utero diagnosis

Examples of in utero in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Beginning in utero, development is a complex series of events that leads to the ability to execute increasingly complex tasks and to control actions and behaviors. Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 15 Jan. 2025 Waterman plead guilty in federal court in Springfield in July to federal charges of kidnapping resulting in death and causing the death of a child in utero in connection with the deaths of Bush and her unborn child. Tracy Neal, arkansasonline.com, 31 Dec. 2024 Exposure to lead in utero, infancy and early childhood can lead to harmful neurological effects like learning and behavior disabilities and lowered IQ. Kate Gibson, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2025 Hours and days were logged as though the act of articulating existence might increase its bioavailability to a person stuck in utero. Molly Young, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for in utero 

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of in utero was in 1713

Dictionary Entries Near in utero

Cite this Entry

“In utero.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20utero. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

Medical Definition

in utero

adverb or adjective
: in the uterus : before birth
a disease acquired in utero
an in utero diagnosis

Legal Definition

in utero

adverb or adjective
: in the uterus : before birth
an injury suffered in utero
that her condition could possibly be linked to in utero exposureBurgess v. Eli Lilly & Co., 995 F.2d 646 (1993)
Etymology

Latin

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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