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

The largest review studies on the topic, which have reviewed data from close to 3 million children have not shown direct cause and effect between prenatal acetaminophen use and autism. — ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026

But this potentially lifesaving prenatal care remains out of reach for many women with serious mental illness, 20% of whom are uninsured. — Meg Leduc, STAT, 23 Sep. 2026

According to the county, the condition accounts for 15% of recurrent pregnancy loss, but testing is not part of routine prenatal screening. — Julie Sharp, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

Communities have seen moms start prenatal care earlier and stick with it. — Mona Hanna, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 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