prenatal

adjective

pre·​na·​tal (ˌ)prē-ˈnā-tᵊl 

1

: occurring, existing, performed, or used before birth

prenatal care

a prenatal test

prenatal vitamins

2

: providing or receiving prenatal medical care

a prenatal clinic

prenatal patients

prenatally

(ˌ)prē-ˈnā-tᵊl-ē 

adverb

Examples of prenatal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Highlights include a vendor expo with exhibitors and workshops with tips on a range of topics from prenatal care and childbirth to newborn care, breastfeeding and sleep solutions. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Apr. 2024

According to data from the US Office on Women’s Health, infants born to mothers who have no prenatal care are almost five times more likely to die during infancy than babies born to mothers who had early prenatal care. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

prenatal

adjective

pre·​na·​tal (ˈ)prē-ˈnāt-ᵊl 

: occurring or existing before birth

prenatal care

prenatal development

Medical Definition

prenatal

adjective

pre·​na·​tal -ˈnāt-ᵊl 

1

: occurring, existing, performed, or used before birth

prenatal care

the prenatal period

prenatal testing

prenatal vitamins

2

: providing or receiving prenatal medical care

a prenatal clinic

a prenatal patient

called also antenatal

compare intranatal, neonatal, postnatal

prenatally

-ē 

adverb