# placenta

/pɫəˈsɛntə/ (US) · /pləsˈɛntɐ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. anatomy

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

an organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy to provide oxygen and nutrients to the growing baby.

For teachers: a temporary organ in mammals that connects the foetus to the uterine wall for nutrient uptake, waste elimination, and gas exchange via the umbilical cord.

- The doctor checked the placenta during the ultrasound to make sure the baby was getting enough nutrients.
- Following the delivery of the infant, the third stage of labour involves the expulsion of the placenta from the uterine cavity.

Usage: In non-medical contexts, it is often referred to as the 'afterbirth' once it has been expelled.

Teaching tip: While a C1 technical term, it is common in prenatal care and biology; students should know it is distinct from the umbilical cord.

### 2. botany

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the part of a plant's ovary where the seeds (ovules) are attached and grow.

For teachers: the surface of the carpel to which the ovules are attached within the ovary of a flowering plant.

- In some fruits, you can clearly see the placenta where the seeds are joined to the core.
- The arrangement of ovules on the placenta, known as placentation, is a key characteristic used in the taxonomic classification of flowering plants.

Usage: Used primarily in botanical descriptions and plant anatomy.

Teaching tip: This sense is highly specialised and rarely encountered outside of academic biology or botany.

## Examples

- The placenta provides the growing baby with oxygen and nutrients.
- After the baby is born, the mother's body naturally expels the placenta during the final stage of labor.
- The placenta acts as a highly selective biological barrier, allowing essential antibodies to pass to the fetus while filtering out many potentially harmful pathogens and toxins.

---

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.