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

Back in July, a federal appeals court resurrected more than 500 lawsuits that alleged prenatal Tylenol use contributed to autism or ADHD in children, citing improper exclusion of expert testimony. — Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026

These findings, if confirmed, could explain the biological underpinnings behind why treating prenatal depression is so critical. — Catherine Demers, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026

Through its Healthy Teen Families program, the organization provides young parents with resources including prenatal care, parenting education, childcare, baby essentials, housing and employment support. — Erin Hill, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2026

In 2024, Michigan State launched Rx Kids, the country’s first universal and unconditional prenatal and infant cash program. — Mona Hanna, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for prenatal

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

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