prenatal

adjective

pre·​na·​tal (ˌ)prē-ˈnā-tᵊl How to pronounce prenatal (audio)
Synonyms of prenatalnext
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
(ˌ)prē-ˈnā-tᵊl-ē How to pronounce prenatal (audio)
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.
The $1,500 can be used on food, prenatal care, rent, cribs or other needs. — ABC News, 19 June 2026 The researchers saw no link between prenatal acetaminophen use and either condition. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 1 July 2026 The landscape and numbers have changed in the more than 20 years since then, with the rise of noninvasive prenatal testing. — Michelle Sie Whitten, STAT, 25 June 2026 The program's goal is to lessen drive times for families seeking prenatal, delivery and postnatal care. — Austin Turner, CBS News, 1 July 2026 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

Rhymes for prenatal

See All Rhymes for prenatal

Browse Nearby Words

prenasalize
prenatal
prenatalist
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prenatal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prenatal. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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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
-ē How to pronounce prenatal (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on prenatal

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for prenatal

Nglish: Translation of prenatal for Spanish Speakers

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