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

March of Dimes also found first-year medical costs run roughly four times higher for preterm infants than for full-term ones. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2026

There’s been an 18% drop in preterm births and a 27% drop in low birth weight in the city of Flint, the first Rx Kids community. — Mona Hanna, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026

Burdett also had fewer preterm births and fewer babies with low birth weights. — Noam Levey, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026

Research highlights how occupational heat exposure can double adverse birth outcomes, with heat acting as a fetal toxin, while fine particulate matter contributes to preterm births and low birth weight. — Catarina Rolfsdotter-Jansson, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

preterm

adjective

pre·​term -ˈtərm 

: of, relating to, being, or born by premature birth

preterm infants

a preterm delivery

preterm labor