# uterus

/ˈjutɝəs/ (US) · /jˈuːtəɹəs/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. reproductive organ

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the part of a female mammal's body where a baby develops before birth.

For teachers: the hollow muscular organ in female mammals in which the zygote implants and the foetus develops until parturition.

- The doctor used an ultrasound to check the health of the baby inside the uterus.
- During pregnancy, the uterus expands significantly to accommodate the growing foetus, eventually returning to its original size after delivery.

Usage: In medical and scientific contexts, 'uterus' is the standard term, whereas 'womb' is more common in everyday or literary speech.

Teaching tip: While 'womb' is a common B1-level word, 'uterus' is the essential term for medical, biological, or formal health discussions.

## Examples

- The fetus develops inside the uterus for nine months.
- During a routine ultrasound, the doctor checked the position of the placenta within the uterus.
- The walls of the uterus undergo significant physiological changes during the menstrual cycle to prepare for the potential implantation of a fertilized egg.

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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.