preterm
adjective
pre·term
(ˌ)prē-ˈtərm 
ˈprē-ˌtərm
: of, relating to, being, or brought forth by premature birth
a preterm infant
preterm labor
Examples of preterm in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Another study found that there was a 33% reduction in the risk of preterm births in patients participating in the Centering program compared to those who received traditional prenatal care.
—
Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Mar. 2026
Last year, a Tennessee lawmaker introduced a bill that would temporarily preempt certain lawsuits against Abbott and other manufacturers of specialized formulas for preterm infants while the FDA studies the issue.
—Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
Right now, the primary recommendations for preventing preterm birth are getting checked for certain infections and avoiding smoking, alcohol and other drugs — not terribly useful to patients who’ve had a premature birth despite a healthy lifestyle.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 4 Mar. 2026
Early research has shown promising outcomes, including a drastic drop in evictions and fewer preterm births and neonatal intensive care unit admissions.
—Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preterm
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Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Mar. 2026
Last year, a Tennessee lawmaker introduced a bill that would temporarily preempt certain lawsuits against Abbott and other manufacturers of specialized formulas for preterm infants while the FDA studies the issue.
—Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
Right now, the primary recommendations for preventing preterm birth are getting checked for certain infections and avoiding smoking, alcohol and other drugs — not terribly useful to patients who’ve had a premature birth despite a healthy lifestyle.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 4 Mar. 2026
Early research has shown promising outcomes, including a drastic drop in evictions and fewer preterm births and neonatal intensive care unit admissions.
—Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preterm
Cite this Entry
“Preterm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preterm. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
preterm
adjective
pre·term
-ˈtərm
: of, relating to, being, or born by premature birth
preterm infants
a preterm delivery
preterm labor
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