Phrase guide

fetal position

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The location of the fetus inside a womb.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: literally

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A posture in which the head and knees are brought close to the abdomen, usually while sitting or lying on one side.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The fetal position is the most common sleeping position.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From the position a fetus typically assumes late in pregnancy.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 胎姿 (tāizī) — location of the fetus
  • Finnish: sikiön asento — location of the fetus
  • Chinese Mandarin: 蜷縮 /蜷缩 (quánsuō) — posture
  • Finnish: sikiöasento — posture
  • Icelandic: fósturstelling — posture
  • Māori: pēpeketanga — posture