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
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
Babies of adolescent mothers also face higher risks of low birth weight, preterm birth and severe neonatal conditions.
—Ladan Anoushfar, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2025
Mississippi had the highest infant mortality rates in the country in 2024, according to the report card, and the highest rates of preterm births, when a baby is born before 38 weeks of pregnancy.
—Alana Semuels, Time, 25 Aug. 2025
Health outcomes caused from long-term exposure to oil and gas pollutants include premature death, preterm births, childhood-onset asthma and cancers, and Texas and California residents carry the greatest health burden for almost all stages of production.
—Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
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Jessica Meszaros, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
Babies of adolescent mothers also face higher risks of low birth weight, preterm birth and severe neonatal conditions.
—Ladan Anoushfar, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2025
Mississippi had the highest infant mortality rates in the country in 2024, according to the report card, and the highest rates of preterm births, when a baby is born before 38 weeks of pregnancy.
—Alana Semuels, Time, 25 Aug. 2025
Health outcomes caused from long-term exposure to oil and gas pollutants include premature death, preterm births, childhood-onset asthma and cancers, and Texas and California residents carry the greatest health burden for almost all stages of production.
—Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 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 9 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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