# embryo

/ˈɛmbɹiˌoʊ/ (US) · /ˈɛmbɹɪˌəʊ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/embryo
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. early animal development

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

an animal or human in the very first stage of life, before it becomes a fetus or hatches from an egg.

For teachers: an organism in the early stages of development before birth, hatching, or metamorphosis.

- The scientists studied how the embryo develops inside the egg over two weeks.
- Research into the genetic markers of the embryo provides critical insights into the early stages of vertebrate development.

Usage: In human medicine, the term is strictly used for the first eight weeks after fertilisation.

### 2. part of a seed

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the tiny part of a plant seed that can grow into a new plant.

For teachers: the rudimentary plant contained within a seed, consisting of precursor tissues for leaves, stem, and root.

- If the embryo inside the seed is damaged, the plant will not grow.
- The botanical study focused on how the embryo remains dormant until environmental conditions trigger germination.

### 3. early stage of an idea

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary · Formal

the very beginning of an idea, plan, or project before it is fully formed.

For teachers: the rudimentary or beginning stage of a concept, organisation, or project.

- The global company started as a small embryo of an idea in a garage.
- The revolutionary policy was still in embryo when the administration changed, leading to its eventual abandonment.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'in embryo' to mean undeveloped or in the planning stages.

## Examples

- The seed contains a tiny embryo that will grow into a flower.
- During the first few weeks of development, the embryo is highly sensitive to environmental changes.
- Botanists examined the dormant embryo within the seed coat to determine if the species could survive a prolonged period of drought before germination.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.