fetoprotein

noun

fe·to·pro·tein ˌfē-tō-ˈprō-ˌtēn

-ˈprō-tē-ən

: any of several fetal antigens present in the adult in some abnormal conditions

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of fetoprotein was in 1964

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

fetology

fetoprotein

fetor

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Fetoprotein.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fetoprotein. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

Copy Citation

Medical Definition

fetoprotein

noun

fe·to·pro·tein

variants or chiefly British foetoprotein

ˌfēt-ō-ˈprō-ˌtēn, -ˈprōt-ē-ən

: any of several fetal antigens present in the adult in some abnormal conditions

especially : alpha-fetoprotein

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

hobgoblin

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What’s the difference between ‘cemetery’ and ‘graveyard’?

Popular in Wordplay

fetoprotein

noun

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Medical Definition

More from Merriam-Webster

Can you solve 4 words at once?