meconium: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “meconium” mean?
The earliest stool of a newborn infant, composed of materials ingested during the time in the uterus.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The earliest stool of a newborn infant, composed of materials ingested during the time in the uterus.
In botany, a milky or coloured juice exuded from certain plants, especially the opium poppy; also used historically to refer to opium.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage between British and American English.
Connotations
Neutral medical/biological term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, confined to medical/paediatric contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “meconium” in a Sentence
The newborn passed meconium.Meconium was present in the amniotic fluid.The nurse noted the meconium stain.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “meconium” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- meconium-stained fluid
- meconium-related complication
American English
- meconium-stained fluid
- meconium-associated disorder
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical, biological, and paediatric research papers.
Everyday
Rarely used outside of discussions with healthcare professionals about a newborn.
Technical
Core term in neonatology, obstetrics, and paediatrics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “meconium”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “meconium”
- Misspelling as 'maconium' or 'mecanium'.
- Using it as a general term for faeces instead of the specific first stool.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Meconium is the first stool of a newborn infant, composed of materials ingested in the womb like amniotic fluid, skin cells, and mucus.
While normal when passed after birth, if a baby passes meconium while still in the womb and inhales it (meconium aspiration syndrome), it can cause serious breathing problems.
It is typically thick, sticky, and tar-like in consistency, and dark green to black in colour.
Yes, an archaic botanical meaning refers to the milky juice of the opium poppy, but this is rarely used in modern English.
The earliest stool of a newborn infant, composed of materials ingested during the time in the uterus.
Meconium is usually technical/medical in register.
Meconium: in British English it is pronounced /mɪˈkəʊ.ni.əm/, and in American English it is pronounced /mɪˈkoʊ.ni.əm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'MEconium' is the 'ME' (the baby's) first 'concoction' in the womb.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SIGN OF TRANSITION (from intrauterine to extrauterine life).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'meconium' most commonly used?