preemie

1 of 2

noun (1)

pree·​mie ˈprē-mē How to pronounce preemie (audio)
variants or less commonly premie
Synonyms of preemienext
: a premature baby

premie

2 of 2

noun (2)

pre·​mie

less common spelling of preemie

: a premature baby

Examples of preemie 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.
Noun
Even Bess’s twins, once so tiny and bald in their preemie bassinets, now seemed to be growing, flippant as weeds. — Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026 For the next 75 days, her preemie baby fought for his life in the neonatal intensive care unit. — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2026
Noun
Sizes run from premie to 5T for toddlers, and there’s a kids’ section up to size 14. — Liv Birdsall, USA TODAY, 1 Oct. 2020 See All Example Sentences for preemie

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

premature + -ie

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1927, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of preemie was in 1927

Rhymes for preemie

See All Rhymes for preemie

Browse Nearby Words

preemergent
preemie
preeminence
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Preemie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preemie. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Medical Definition

preemie

noun
pree·​mie
variants or premie
ˈprē-mē How to pronounce preemie (audio)
: a baby born prematurely

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