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
Pregnancy complications such as miscarriage and preterm birth put mothers and children at risk, making solutions necessary to find.
—
Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
In Mississippi, the leading causes are congenital malformations, preterm birth, low birth weight, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
—Tabitha St. Bernard-Jacobs, Parents, 8 Sep. 2025
However, she was soon diagnosed with a short cervix, which increases the risk of preterm birth or miscarriage.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
When temperatures remain at or above 75 degrees Fahrenheit overnight, there is a 4% increase in preterm births — babies born before 37 weeks, instead of the full-term gestation of at least 39 weeks — in the days that follow, according to research conducted by the Heat Policy Innovation Hub.
—Jessica Meszaros, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preterm
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Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
In Mississippi, the leading causes are congenital malformations, preterm birth, low birth weight, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
—Tabitha St. Bernard-Jacobs, Parents, 8 Sep. 2025
However, she was soon diagnosed with a short cervix, which increases the risk of preterm birth or miscarriage.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
When temperatures remain at or above 75 degrees Fahrenheit overnight, there is a 4% increase in preterm births — babies born before 37 weeks, instead of the full-term gestation of at least 39 weeks — in the days that follow, according to research conducted by the Heat Policy Innovation Hub.
—Jessica Meszaros, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preterm
Cite this Entry
“Preterm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preterm. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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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