neonatal

adjective

neo·​na·​tal ˌnē-ō-ˈnā-tᵊl 

: of, relating to, or affecting the newborn and especially the human infant during the first month after birth

neonatal mortality

neonatal intensive care unit

neonatally

ˌnē-ō-ˈnā-tᵊl-ē 

adverb

Examples of neonatal in a Sentence

a neonatal intensive care unit

Recent Examples on the Web

Kate Walsh's iconic and renowned neonatal surgeon is making her return to Grey's Anatomy for a special guest appearance on an upcoming episode of the show's current 22nd season, Entertainment Weekly can confirm. —Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Dec. 2025

Meanwhile, Bryan spent 60 days in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). —Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 1 Dec. 2025

In January, the two teamed together to enhance the neonatal intensive care unit at Westmoreland Hospital. —Patrick Damp, CBS News, 19 Nov. 2025

Researchers found a drastic drop in evictions and fewer preterm births and neonatal intensive care unit admissions. —Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 7 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin neonatus neonate + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for neonatal

• hiatal
• nonfatal
• postnatal
• prenatal
• antenatal
• perinatal
• datal
• fatal

Medical Definition

neonatal

adjective

neo·​na·​tal ˌnē-ō-ˈnāt-ᵊl 

: of, relating to, or affecting the newborn and especially the human infant during the first month after birth

neonatal jaundice

neonatal death

compare prenatal, intranatal, postnatal

neonatally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb