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
Examples of prenatal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Today, there are prenatal and postnatal genetic tests that identify Alström syndrome, but there’s no comprehensive treatment or cure, only ways to address individual symptoms to improve the quality of life.
—
Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2026
Idaho prenatal care is slipping, group says Idaho Voices for Children, a nonprofit that advocates for child welfare, says the state’s health care system for pregnant women, new moms, babies and kids has become increasingly strained.
—Angela Palermo
february 1, Idaho Statesman, 1 Feb. 2026
When parents interview a pediatrician in the prenatal period and issues about one’s practice are delineated, immunization schedules will likely be a point of discussion.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 31 Jan. 2026
Another family with a child at the school was stopped by ICE agents on the way to a prenatal appointment.
—Emily Witt, New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prenatal
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Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2026
Idaho prenatal care is slipping, group says Idaho Voices for Children, a nonprofit that advocates for child welfare, says the state’s health care system for pregnant women, new moms, babies and kids has become increasingly strained.
—Angela Palermo
february 1, Idaho Statesman, 1 Feb. 2026
When parents interview a pediatrician in the prenatal period and issues about one’s practice are delineated, immunization schedules will likely be a point of discussion.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 31 Jan. 2026
Another family with a child at the school was stopped by ICE agents on the way to a prenatal appointment.
—Emily Witt, New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prenatal
Cite this Entry
“Prenatal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prenatal. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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, postnatalLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
