: retained in the uterus for the normal period of gestation before birth
a full-term newborn

Examples of full-term in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The baby, who was the couple’s first child, had been delivered full-term. Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 21 June 2025 In their study, the researchers used advanced MRI data from more than 370 preterm and full-term infants—some as early as 32 weeks gestation—to analyze how the brain's pain connectome forms over time. Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025 Seven months later, my son Kai was born full-term and completely unaffected by the surgery. Tracey Harrington McCoy, Parents, 6 Mar. 2025 Notably, Trump's May numbers outperformed his own first-term average (41 percent) and surpassed Joe Biden's full-term average (41 percent) and final-year rating (40 percent). Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for full-term

Word History

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of full-term was in 1844

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Cite this Entry

“Full-term.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/full-term. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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