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
teratogenic (ˌteratoˈgenic)
adjective
teratogenicist (ˌteratoˈgenicist)
noun
teratogenicity (ˌteratogeˈnicity)
noun
teratogen in American English
(ˈtɛrətədʒən)
noun
an agent, as a chemical or disease, that causes malformation of a fetus