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in vitro fertilization
noun
: fertilization of an egg in a laboratory dish or test tube
specifically
: fertilization by mixing sperm with eggs surgically removed from an ovary followed by uterine implantation of one or more of the resulting fertilized eggs
—abbreviation IVF
Examples of in vitro fertilization in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Her apology included her 7-year-old daughter, conceived through in vitro fertilization while out of custody on bail and facing murder charges.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2023
Tech firms began offering egg-freezing benefits in 2014, and today 54% of large companies cover in vitro fertilization, according to a 2022 survey of employer health plans by the management consulting firm Mercer.
—Anna Louie Sussman, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2023
But, for women who are still interested in having children, pregnancy is possible through in vitro fertilization, if the uterus is not removed.
—Zeina Mohammed — Boston Globe, STAT, 23 Feb. 2023
This also applies to those accessing other reproductive health care, including in vitro fertilization.
—Christine Fernando, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2023
Overall, the HeLa line has featured in more than 74,000 studies, producing insights on cell biology, vaccines, in vitro fertilization and cancer.
—Popular Mechanics, 2 Mar. 2023
Walmart’s employees will get access to more than 30 fertility clinics and in vitro fertilization labs across the United States.
—BostonGlobe.com, 27 Sep. 2022
My doctor had just delivered the genetic testing results of our 13 embryos, created in the lab through in vitro fertilization: three healthy embryos, two girls and one boy.
—Elizabeth Katkin, Discover Magazine, 17 Jan. 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'in vitro fertilization.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1954, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of in vitro fertilization was
in 1954
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Cite this Entry
“In vitro fertilization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20vitro%20fertilization. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
Medical Definition
in vitro fertilization
noun
: fertilization of an egg in a laboratory dish or test tube
specifically
: mixture usually in a laboratory dish of sperm with eggs which have been obtained from an ovary that is followed by introduction of one or more of the resulting fertilized eggs into a female's uterus
—abbreviation IVF
More from Merriam-Webster on in vitro fertilization
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about in vitro fertilization
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