prepubertal

adjective

pre·​pu·​ber·​tal (ˌ)prē-ˈpyü-bər-tᵊl How to pronounce prepubertal (audio)

Examples of prepubertal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Few differences were found in the bacterial flora between prepubertal and mature intact and castrated donkeys. Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 3 Nov. 2015 In these prepubertal developmental stages—when kids are sprouting and molting and falling over and spilling their teeth on the floor—the adults, while attuned to these metamorphoses, are not especially fazed by them. Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 27 Oct. 2022 Tennessee also passed a law prohibiting gender-affirming care for prepubertal youth, though advocates said at the time that there were no doctors in the state who provided transition care to children prior to puberty. Jo Yurcaba, NBC News, 30 Sep. 2022 Advocates say no doctors in the state provide hormone therapy for prepubertal youths, The Associated Press reported. NBC News, 27 May 2021 Limited research on the effects weightlifting has on prepubertal children has revealed that children have participated with few injuries, according to a study published by The American Academy of Pediatrics. Alicia Lee, CNN, 29 Jan. 2020 The results were less clear with the prepubertal children. Francine Russo, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2016 In that study, three young boys had cases of prepubertal gynecomastia (abnormal breast growth). Lauren Castle, azcentral, 22 Mar. 2018 Some research in the past has linked essential oils to hormone disturbances, with some suggesting a link between the oils and abnormal breast growth in young boys, called prepubertal gynecomastia. Alexandra Sifferlin, Time, 19 Mar. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prepubertal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prepubertal was in 1859

Dictionary Entries Near prepubertal

Cite this Entry

“Prepubertal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prepubertal. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

prepubertal

adjective
pre·​pu·​ber·​tal -bərt-ᵊl How to pronounce prepubertal (audio)
: prepubescent
prepubertal children
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