pre-exposure

adjective

pre-ex·​po·​sure ˌprē-ik-ˈspō-zhər How to pronounce pre-exposure (audio)
variants or less commonly preexposure
: occurring, administered, used, or being in the period preceding exposure (as to a stimulus or a pathogen)
pre-exposure rabies vaccination
Canon has also added a red-eye reduction pre-exposure light …—Herbert Keppler
see also pre-exposure prophylaxis
pre-exposure noun
Rats differ from monkeys and chicks in that simultaneous pre-exposure to two stimuli does facilitate their subsequent discrimination … —R. A. Hinde

Examples of pre-exposure 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.
Prevention tools like contraception and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) helped protect women’s health. — Jennifer Lotito, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025 Someone at high risk of being exposed to rabies can get the rabies vaccine as part of what’s called pre-exposure prophylaxis — that is, vaccination before any exposure occurs — to provide protection in case contact with the virus happens later. — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025 Study data showed a single set of injections every six months can offer virtually complete protection against infection, a form of prevention known as pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP. — Ed Silverman, STAT, 5 Mar. 2026 Lewin wrote to Rubio that the number of pregnant and breastfeeding mothers who began pre-exposure prophylaxis through PEPFAR more than doubled. — Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pre-exposure

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pre-exposure was in 1906

Rhymes for pre-exposure

See All Rhymes for pre-exposure

Browse Nearby Words

preexpose
pre-exposure
pre-exposure prophylaxis
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pre-exposure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pre-exposure. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

pre-exposure

adjective
pre-ex·​po·​sure -ik-ˈspō-zhər How to pronounce pre-exposure (audio)
variants preexposure
: of, relating to, occurring in, or being the period preceding exposure (as to a stimulus or a pathogen)
pre-exposure immunization
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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