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

Word History

First Known Use

1954, in the meaning defined above

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