prenatal

adjective

pre·​na·​tal (ˌ)prē-ˈnā-tᵊl How to pronounce prenatal (audio)
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.
Birth center staff will provide information on prenatal care, car seat safety, breastfeeding and safe sleep, and community resource representatives and health vendors will be on hand. Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025 Birth center staff will provide information on prenatal care, car seat safety, breastfeeding and safe sleep, and community resource representatives and health vendors will be on hand. Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025 The team found prenatal phthalate levels were associated with lower levels of tyrosine, an amino acid and precursor to the thyroid hormone thyroxine. Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025 The money would come from existing funding used for Early Childhood Iowa — a current state program that helps families with kids, prenatal to 5 years old. Linh Ta, Axios, 1 Apr. 2025 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 22 Apr. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on prenatal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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