prenatal

adjective

pre·​na·​tal (ˌ)prē-ˈnā-tᵊl How to pronounce prenatal (audio)
Synonyms of prenatalnext
1
: occurring, existing, performed, or used before birth
prenatal care
a prenatal test
prenatal vitamins
2
: providing or receiving prenatal medical care
a prenatal clinic
prenatal patients
prenatally adverb

Examples of prenatal in a Sentence

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.
Last year, the Boys Don't Cry star helped lobby for the CA Senate Bill 646, which enforces prenatal vitamin manufacturers to test for and disclose levels of potentially harmful heavy metals in products. Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026 In-room massage services range from deep tissue and reflexology to prenatal care and warm basalt stone treatments, with customizable enhancements like Moroccan oil scalp massages. Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2026 California should build a pro-family agenda that includes prenatal care, maternal health and adoption support, not a system that responds to a vulnerable situation by facilitating death. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026 However, this enrollment can sometimes take months, and some prenatal care clinics will not see patients until coverage is approved. Casey Pinto, The Conversation, 1 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for prenatal

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prenatal was in 1826

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prenatal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prenatal. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

prenatal

adjective
pre·​na·​tal (ˈ)prē-ˈnāt-ᵊl How to pronounce prenatal (audio)
: occurring or existing before birth
prenatal care
prenatal development

Medical Definition

prenatal

adjective
pre·​na·​tal -ˈnāt-ᵊl How to pronounce prenatal (audio)
1
: occurring, existing, performed, or used before birth
prenatal care
the prenatal period
prenatal testing
prenatal vitamins
2
: providing or receiving prenatal medical care
a prenatal clinic
a prenatal patient

called also antenatal

compare intranatal, neonatal, postnatal
prenatally adverb

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