Preterm: meaning, definitions and examples

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preterm

 

[ ˈpriːtɜːrm ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

medical condition

Preterm refers to a birth that occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy have been completed. Babies born preterm may face various health challenges due to their early arrival, as their organs may not be fully developed. The earlier a baby is born, the higher the risk of complications.

Synonyms

early, premature, untimely

Examples of usage

  • The preterm infant required special care in the neonatal unit.
  • Doctors monitor preterm labor closely to prevent complications.
  • Preterm delivery can lead to long-term health issues for the child.

Translations

Translations of the word "preterm" in other languages:

🇵🇹 prematuro

🇮🇳 पूर्वकालिक

🇩🇪 frühgeboren

🇮🇩 prematur

🇺🇦 преждевремений

🇵🇱 przedwczesny

🇯🇵 早産の

🇫🇷 prématuré

🇪🇸 prematuro

🇹🇷 erken doğmuş

🇰🇷 조산의

🇸🇦 مبكر

🇨🇿 předčasný

🇸🇰 predčasný

🇨🇳 早产的

🇸🇮 preuranjen

🇮🇸 fyrir tímann

🇰🇿 ерте туған

🇬🇪 დაწყებისთანავე

🇦🇿 prematür

🇲🇽 prematuro

Word origin

The term 'preterm' originates from the prefix 'pre-', meaning 'before', and 'term', which refers to the period of gestation in pregnancy. The combination suggests something occurring before the standard or expected duration, particularly in the context of childbirth. Over time, the term has become widely used in medical literature to describe premature births and has been essential in discussions pertaining to neonatal health. Medical professionals use it to stress the significance of gestational age on the health and development of newborns. Understanding preterm birth is crucial in the fields of obstetrics and pediatrics, as it highlights the importance of prenatal care and monitoring for expecting mothers.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,447, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.