French word

embryon

Pronunciation

IPA/ɑ̃bʁijɔ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nounembryo

Example

On a vu l'embryon à l'échographie.

They saw the embryo on the ultrasound.

Illustration for embryon (embryo)

More examples

Après la fécondation, l'embryon s'implante dans l'utérus.

After fertilization, the embryo implants in the uterus.

Core concept

A tiny developing body whose cells are beginning to organize into the body's basic form.

Common phrases

  • voir l'embryon à l'échographie

    see the embryo on ultrasound

  • développement de l'embryon

    development of the embryo

Similar words

bébé: A small child in the first period after birth, usually needing to be held and cared for.
fœtus: A later prenatal developmental stage in which the body has taken a recognizable form.

Definition in French

Phase initiale du développement d'un organisme après la fécondation, précédant le stade fœtal.

Word origin

French embryon came through Latin from Greek embryon, a neuter noun meaning a thing growing within.

Usage tips

  • Embryon is masculine, so the usual article is un: un embryon and des embryons, with the final s silent.

Related words

Word lists with this word