heartbeat law

noun

plural heartbeat laws
: a law banning abortion typically at six weeks of pregnancy upon the detection of a fetal heartbeat
The Texas heartbeat law, S.B. 8, bans all abortions after fetal cardiac activity is detected, typically around six weeks of pregnancy, before most women know they are pregnant.Nathaniel Weixel

Examples of heartbeat law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Treatment is not keeping pace The researchers examined death records beginning after the heartbeat law went into effect. Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 24 June 2024 The Texas heartbeat law does not provide exceptions for pregnancies involving such conditions. Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 24 June 2024 The Ohio Supreme Court will consider whether the Ohio 1st District Court of Appeals, where Democrats hold a 3-1 majority, should have denied Yost’s appeal of Hamilton County Judge Christian Jenkins’ decision placing the heartbeat law on hold indefinitely while Jenkins considers the case. cleveland, 10 Aug. 2023 Shortly after that decision, the heartbeat law, which Gov. Mike DeWine signed in January 2019, went into effect. cleveland, 10 Aug. 2023 In the fall hearing, the state court’s justices will also review whether those groups that sued over the heartbeat law have legal standing in their case. David Zimmermann, Washington Examiner, 10 Aug. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

2011, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heartbeat law was in 2011

Dictionary Entries Near heartbeat law

Cite this Entry

“Heartbeat law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heartbeat%20law. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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