placenta

noun

pla·cen·ta plə-ˈsen-tə

plural placentas or placentae plə-ˈsen-(ˌ)tē

also : an analogous organ in another animal

: a sporangium-bearing surface

especially : the part of the carpel bearing ovules

Examples of placenta in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Share [Findings] Microplastics were found in sixty-two of sixty-two human placentas from a biobank in Texas. —

Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 22 May 2024 This is because your heart is working harder to meet the needs of your placenta and organs. —

Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 21 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for placenta

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'placenta.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, flat cake, from Greek plakoenta, accusative of plakoeis, from plak-, plax flat surface — more at fluke entry 2

First Known Use

1638, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of placenta was in 1638

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Placenta.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/placenta. Accessed 29 May. 2024.

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Kids Definition

placenta

noun

pla·cen·ta plə-ˈsent-ə

plural placentas or placentae -ˈsent-ē

: the organ in most mammals by which the fetus is joined to the uterus of the mother and is nourished

placental

-ˈsent-ᵊl

adjective

Medical Definition

placenta

noun

pla·cen·ta plə-ˈsent-ə

plural placentas or placentae -ˈsent-(ˌ)ē

: the vascular organ in mammals except monotremes and marsupials that unites the fetus to the maternal uterus and mediates its metabolic exchanges through a more or less intimate association of uterine mucosal with chorionic and usually allantoic tissues permitting exchange of material by diffusion between the maternal and fetal vascular systems but without direct contact between maternal and fetal blood and typically involving the interlocking of fingerlike vascular chorionic villi with corresponding modified areas of the uterine mucosa see abruptio placentae