preexisting

adjective

pre·​ex·​ist·​ing ˌprē-ig-ˈzi-stiŋ How to pronounce preexisting (audio)
: existing at an earlier time
a preexisting medical condition

Examples of preexisting 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.
Patients may also need treatment for secondary infections or for complications related to preexisting conditions. Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025 Despite grave concerns from the medical establishment, earlier this year Kennedy put forward new federal policy that narrowed COVID-19 vaccine recommendations to adults 65 and older and those with certain preexisting medical conditions. Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 12 Sep. 2025 The winner of the Australian, Hong Kong, Japan, Scottish (merely formalizing a preexisting path) South African and Spanish Open will punch a ticket into both majors. Mike Dojc, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 Bottle episodes are designed to save money for more ambitious episodes elsewhere in a season through some combination of only using preexisting sets, hiring few (if any) guest actors, and not doing time-consuming set pieces. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for preexisting

Word History

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of preexisting was in 1599

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Cite this Entry

“Preexisting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preexisting. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.

Medical Definition

preexisting

adjective
pre·​ex·​ist·​ing ˌprē-ig-ˈzi-stiŋ How to pronounce preexisting (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on preexisting

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