adjective
in vitro
in VEE-troh
In vitro (adjective) means taking place in a test tube, dish or other laboratory container rather than inside a living body. Example: “The compound killed the bacteria in vitro but failed in animal trials.”
adjective
1
technical Taking place in a test tube, dish or other laboratory container rather than inside a living body.
"The compound killed the bacteria in vitro but failed in animal trials."
"All in vitro results need confirming in a living system."
2
Of fertilisation: carried out in a laboratory, where an egg is combined with sperm outside the body and the resulting embryo is transferred to the womb. Usually in the phrase in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
"They conceived through in vitro fertilisation after four years of trying."
"The clinic offers three rounds of in vitro treatment."
How to use in vitro
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDone in a lab dish rather than inside a living body.
When to use it
Technical and medical; borrowed from Latin, and often set in italics in academic writing.
Memory tip
Remember vitro by its link to vitreous and vitrine, both about glass.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
in vivo
in situ
ex vivo
Common pairings
in vitro fertilisation
in vitro study
in vitro model
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The compound killed the bacteria _____ but failed in animal trials.
Etymology
From Latin in vitro, literally "in glass", a reference to the glass vessels used in laboratory work.
Antonyms
in vivo
Rhymes for in vitro
See all rhymes for in vitro →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between in vitro and in vivo?
In vitro means outside a living organism, in glassware or a culture dish; in vivo means inside a living organism, such as in a mouse or a human patient. A drug can work in vitro and still fail in vivo because a living body absorbs and breaks it down differently.
Is in vitro the same as IVF?
Not quite. IVF stands for in vitro fertilisation, which is one specific application. In vitro on its own is a general scientific term covering any experiment done outside the body.
How do you pronounce in vitro?
The most common English pronunciation is in VEE-troh, though in VIT-roh is also heard, particularly in the United States. Both are accepted.
What is the meaning of in vitro?
"in vitro" (adjective) means taking place in a test tube, dish or other laboratory container rather than inside a living body.
