noun
Uncommon
womb
woom
Womb (noun) means the organ in a female mammal's body where offspring develop before birth; the uterus. Example: “The baby had been growing in her womb for eight months.”
noun
1
The organ in a female mammal's body where offspring develop before birth; the uterus.
"The baby had been growing in her womb for eight months."
"The doctor explained how a baby develops inside the womb."
"Sounds can reach a baby while it is still in the womb."
2
Figuratively, a place where something originates or is formed.
"The old workshop was the womb of countless inventions."
"The small town was the womb of the country's folk music."
"Ancient river valleys were the womb of early farming communities."
How to use womb
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe uterus — where a baby develops before birth.
Common mistake
Don't confuse "womb" (uterus) with "tomb" (a grave) — they're spelled similarly but unrelated in meaning.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- wombs
- Third person singular
- wombs
- Past tense
- wombed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The baby had been growing in her _____ for eight months.
Etymology
From Old English wamb, meaning "belly" or "stomach" — the word originally referred to the abdomen generally before narrowing to mean specifically the uterus.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for womb
See all rhymes for womb →Frequently asked questions
What does “womb” mean?
The word “womb” means the organ in a female mammal's body where offspring develop before birth; the uterus. In plain terms, the uterus — where a baby develops before birth.
How do you pronounce “womb”?
“Womb” is pronounced woom (/wuːm/ in IPA).
How do you use “womb” in a sentence?
Here is “womb” used in a sentence: “The baby had been growing in her womb for eight months.”
What part of speech is “womb”?
“Womb” is a noun.
Where does the word “womb” come from?
The word “womb” comes from Old English. From Old English wamb, meaning "belly" or "stomach" — the word originally referred to the abdomen generally before narrowing to mean specifically the uterus.
Is “womb” a common word?
“Womb” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “womb” have?
“Womb” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the organ in a female mammal's body where offspring develop before birth; the uterus.
What is the difference between "womb" and "uterus"?
"Womb" and "uterus" refer to the same organ where offspring develop before birth, but "uterus" is the clinical, anatomical term used in medical contexts, while "womb" is the everyday and literary word. Both are correct, but "uterus" is preferred in scientific or medical writing.
What does it mean to use "womb" figuratively?
Used figuratively, "womb" describes a place or condition where something originates, develops, or is nurtured before emerging fully formed. For example, a workshop might be called "the womb" of an idea, meaning the place where it was first shaped.
Is "womb" a formal or everyday word?
"Womb" is an everyday and often literary word, commonly used in general conversation, poetry, and figurative writing, whereas "uterus" is favored in formal medical or scientific contexts. Both refer to the same anatomical structure.
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