fetal position

noun

: a position (as of a sleeping person) in which the body lies curled up on one side with the arms and legs drawn up and the head bowed forward and which is assumed in some forms of psychic regression

Examples of fetal position in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Detectives have promoted the theory, based on the evidence, the shooter stood over Welsh and fired as she was curled on the floor in a fetal position. —Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2024

Davis’s daughter found his body curled in the fetal position in the bathtub on the morning of Feb. 9, 2021, according to prosecutors. —Christine Pelisek, People.com, 14 Oct. 2024

Combs then threw the hot pan at Ventura, who fell to the ground in a fetal position, the lawsuit claims. —Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2024

For me, that included any physical activity that involved opening up my chest or sleeping curled in the fetal position. —Katie Camero, SELF, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

fetal position

noun

: a position (as of a sleeping person) in which the body lies curled up on one side with the arms and legs drawn up toward the chest and the head is bowed forward and which is assumed in some forms of psychological regression