: a boy or girl not yet 13 years old
1
: relating to or produced for children especially in the 9 to 12 year-old age group
preteen fashions
2
: being younger than 13
Examples of preteen in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 8 July 2025
The preteen was airlifted to a hospital in Savannah, Georgia, per CBS News, and her injuries were not life-threatening, according to authorities.
—Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 24 June 2025
Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 24 July 2025
Officers found a preteen boy in critical condition.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for preteen
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Noun
Following a group of preteens that form a baby-sitting business in their quiet suburb, the series is sweet and deeply relevant to the kids who are watching (even if the sitters still use a landline for the nostalgia).
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 8 July 2025
The preteen was airlifted to a hospital in Savannah, Georgia, per CBS News, and her injuries were not life-threatening, according to authorities.
—Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 24 June 2025
Adjective
This thriller is about a reporter, fresh out of a psych hospital, returning to her small hometown and complicated family to cover the murders of two preteen girls.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 24 July 2025
Officers found a preteen boy in critical condition.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for preteen
Cite this Entry
“Preteen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preteen. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
preteen
1 of 2 noun
pre·teen
ˈprē-ˈtēn 
: a boy or girl not yet 13 years old
preteen
2 of 2 adjective1
: relating to or produced for children especially in the 9 to 12 year-old age group
preteen fashions
2
: being younger than 13 years old
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