preterm

American

[pree-turm] / priˈtɜrm /

adjective

occurring earlier in pregnancy than expected; premature.

preterm labor.

noun

a baby born prematurely, especially one born before the 37th week of pregnancy and weighing less than 5½ pounds (2.5 kilograms).

preterm British

/ ˌpriːˈtɜːm /

adjective

(of a baby) born prematurely

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adverb

prematurely

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of preterm

First recorded in 1925–30; pre- + term

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The challenge was to predict preterm birth using data from more than 1,000 pregnant women.

From Science Daily

Speeding up data analysis could improve diagnostic tools for preterm birth -- the leading cause of newborn death and a major contributor to long term motor and cognitive challenges in children.

From Science Daily

Researchers still do not fully understand what causes preterm birth.

From Science Daily

More than 100 teams worldwide participated, developing machine learning models designed to detect patterns linked to preterm birth.

From Science Daily

For those at risk of preterm labor, a PIEZO1 blocker, if developed, could work alongside current medications that relax uterine muscle by limiting calcium entry into cells.

From Science Daily

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023