preexisting

1 of 2

adjective

pre·​ex·​ist·​ing ˌprē-ig-ˈzi-stiŋ 

: existing at an earlier time

a preexisting medical condition

preexisting

2 of 2

present participle of preexist

Examples of preexisting in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

However, the gains were larger in areas with more preexisting private school options and for lower-income students, with other districts seeing little or no benefit. — Kendall Deas, The Conversation, 6 July 2026

Last January, a report emerged that the group was presented with several offers for shows over the summer but dismissed them due to logistical issues surrounding the venues and travel, as well as preexisting commitments. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 1 June 2026

The company also covers undetectable preexisting conditions, rust damage and improper installations. — Sharon Wu, USA Today, 1 May 2026

Most producers have preexisting contracts with plastic suppliers. — Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1599, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for preexisting

• assisting
• blacklisting
• consisting
• delisting
• enlisting
• existing
• insisting
• persisting
• resisting
• subsisting
• coexisting
• unresisting

Medical Definition

preexisting

adjective

pre·​ex·​ist·​ing ˌprē-ig-ˈzi-stiŋ 

variants or pre-existing

: existing or present earlier or before a certain point of time

In 1990, over 60 percent of group health insurance plans contained exclusions of coverage for preexisting conditions, signifying the denial of benefits for any illness present at the time the insurance is obtained.

—Thomas Bodenheimer, in The New England Journal of Medicine