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
Unless a woman has had a preterm labor previously, preterm labor is difficult to predict, McDonald said.
—
Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 7 Feb. 2026
The New Mexico Department of Health noted that even if a mother is only mildly ill from an infection, Listeria can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, or a deadly infection in newborn babies.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
Listeria can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth or fatal infections in newborns, even if the mother was only mildly ill.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Congenital syphilis can cause a range of adverse outcomes including fetal or neonatal death, preterm birth, low birthweight, and brain and nerve disorders.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preterm
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.
Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 7 Feb. 2026
The New Mexico Department of Health noted that even if a mother is only mildly ill from an infection, Listeria can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, or a deadly infection in newborn babies.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
Listeria can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth or fatal infections in newborns, even if the mother was only mildly ill.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Congenital syphilis can cause a range of adverse outcomes including fetal or neonatal death, preterm birth, low birthweight, and brain and nerve disorders.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preterm
Cite this Entry
“Preterm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preterm. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
preterm
adjective
pre·term
-ˈtərm
: of, relating to, being, or born by premature birth
preterm infants
a preterm delivery
preterm labor
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
