teratogen: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “teratogen” mean?
An agent or factor that causes malformation of an embryo or fetus.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An agent or factor that causes malformation of an embryo or fetus.
Any substance, organism, or physical agent (such as radiation) capable of interfering with normal embryonic development, resulting in birth defects or developmental abnormalities.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation follow standard national conventions.
Connotations
Neutral scientific term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in general discourse but standard in relevant professional fields in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “teratogen” in a Sentence
[substance] is a teratogenexposure to [teratogen][teratogen] causes [defect]classified as a teratogenVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “teratogen” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The drug has teratogenic properties.
- They studied the teratogenic potential of the pesticide.
American English
- The substance was found to be teratogenic in lab rats.
- Teratogenic effects were observed in the first trimester.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare; might appear in pharmaceutical liability or chemical safety reports.
Academic
Standard in medicine, embryology, toxicology, and public health research.
Everyday
Virtually never used; 'something that causes birth defects' would be the paraphrase.
Technical
Precise term in medical diagnostics, teratology, pharmacology, and environmental health.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “teratogen”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “teratogen”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “teratogen”
- Pronouncing it /ˈtiː.rə-/ (like 'tear' a drop).
- Using it to refer to mutagens (which affect DNA) or carcinogens (which cause cancer) – teratogens specifically disrupt prenatal morphology.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A mutagen causes changes to DNA (mutations). A teratogen disrupts the process of embryonic development, which may or may not involve a DNA mutation. All mutagens can be teratogens, but not all teratogens are mutagens.
Yes, species-specific susceptibility is common in teratology. A substance must be tested specifically on human epidemiological data or relevant primate models to be confirmed as a human teratogen.
Thalidomide, a drug prescribed for morning sickness in the late 1950s/early 1960s, which caused severe limb reduction defects (phocomelia) in thousands of babies worldwide.
Yes, ionizing radiation (like X-rays) is a well-established physical teratogen, especially during critical periods of organogenesis.
An agent or factor that causes malformation of an embryo or fetus.
Teratogen is usually technical/scientific in register.
Teratogen: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtɛr.ə.tə.dʒən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈter.ə.t̬oʊ.dʒən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: TERATogen - sounds like 'terror to the genes' – something that causes terror/ harm to developing genes/embryo.
Conceptual Metaphor
A MALFORMING INTRUDER / A WRENCH IN THE DEVELOPMENTAL WORKS.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a teratogen?