placenta

noun

pla·​cen·​ta plə-ˈsen-tə 

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

1

: 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

also : an analogous organ in another animal

2

: a sporangium-bearing surface

especially : the part of the carpel bearing ovules

Examples of placenta in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While most people transform their placenta into pill-form, there are many ways to use your placenta after giving birth, including turning it into a salve or making jewelry from it. —Christina Montoya Fiedler, Parents, 14 Jan. 2025

This serious complication of pregnancy occurs when the placenta covers all or part of the cervix. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 4 Jan. 2025

The baby had been wrapped in a blanket, and the placenta was still attached, Kelsey said. —CBS News, 29 Oct. 2024

Infected female dogs can also spread distemper to their puppies via placenta. —Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 28 Sep. 2024

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

Rhymes for placenta

• magenta
• momenta
• placentae
• impedimenta
• presidente

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