neonate

noun

ne·​o·​nate ˈnē-ə-ˌnāt How to pronounce neonate (audio)
: a newborn child
especially : a child less than a month old

Examples of neonate in a Sentence

the hospital has added a new wing especially for neonates
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Among these studies, 12 post-approval studies included 3,646 neonates, newborns, infants and children. Dr. Jade Cobern, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2025 The scientists also found several neonates and newborns in the area, Pardo-Pérez tells Flora Lichtman of Science Friday, which suggests that the site served as a nursery for the prehistoric animals. Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 July 2025 Whale shark neonates, like other shark species, do not receive any parental care after birth. Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025 Despite the underlying cause, the management of a sick neonate follows a consistent approach. Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for neonate

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin neonatus (short for infans neonatus, neo-natus puerulus, etc.), from neo- neo- + Latin natus, past participle of nāscī "to be born" — more at nation

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of neonate was in 1925

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Neonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neonate. Accessed 24 Sep. 2025.

Medical Definition

neonate

noun
ne·​o·​nate ˈnē-ə-ˌnāt How to pronounce neonate (audio)
: a newborn infant
especially : an infant less than a month old
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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