teratogen

[ tuh-rat-uh-juh n, -jen, ter-uh-tuh- ]
/ təˈræt ə dʒən, -ˌdʒɛn, ˈtɛr ə tə- /

noun Biology.

a drug or other substance capable of interfering with the development of a fetus, causing birth defects.

Origin of teratogen

First recorded in 1900–05; terato- + -gen

OTHER WORDS FROM teratogen

te·rat·o·gen·ic, adjective

Words nearby teratogen

terat-, teratism, terato-, teratoblastoma, teratocarcinoma, teratogen, teratogenesis, teratogenic, teratogenicity, teratogeny, teratoid

British Dictionary definitions for teratogenic

teratogen
/ (ˈtɛrətədʒən, tɪˈrætə-) /

noun

any substance, organism, or process that causes malformations in a fetus. Teratogens include certain drugs (such as thalidomide), infections (such as German measles), and ionizing radiation

Derived forms of teratogen

teratogenic, adjective teratogenicist, noun teratogenicity, noun

Medical definitions for teratogenic (1 of 2)

teratogenic
[ tĕr′ə-tə-jĕn′ĭk ]

adj.

Of, relating to, or causing malformations of an embryo or a fetus.

Medical definitions for teratogenic (2 of 2)

teratogen
[ tə-răt′ə-jən, tĕr′ə-tə- ]

n.

An agent, such as a virus, a drug, or radiation, that can cause malformations or functional damage to an embryo or a fetus.

Scientific definitions for teratogenic

teratogen
[ tə-răt′ə-jən, tĕr′ə-tə- ]

An agent, such as a virus, a drug, or radiation, that can cause malformations in an embryo or fetus.