preterm
adjective
pre·term (ˌ)prē-ˈtərm 
ˈprē-ˌtərm
: of, relating to, being, or brought forth by premature birth
a preterm infant
preterm labor
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Women are also at a higher risk of adverse pregnancy health outcomes as a result of Covid infections, including hypertension, preeclampsia, impaired fetal growth and preterm birth. 
Madeline Halpert, Forbes, 11 Aug. 2022 But older moms are more likely to have preterm births, as are women infected with COVID-19, said the CDC's Joyce Martin, a study co-author. CBS News, 24 May 2022 But older moms are more likely to have preterm births, as are women infected with COVID-19, said the CDC’s Joyce Martin, a study co-author. Mike Stobbe, USA TODAY, 24 May 2022 Infections with gonorrhea and syphilis were more strongly associated with very preterm births, which meant between 28 and 31 weeks. Kristen Rogers, CNN, 29 Nov. 2021 The study, which included many high-risk Black women, showed that those on the medication saw a 34 percent reduction in their risk of having a preterm birth compared with those in a control group. New York Times, 25 Mar. 2022 In fact, the makers of Makena cited that precedent in arguing that their preterm-birth drug should remain available. New York Times, 25 Mar. 2022 Also, 143 of the women who tested positive delivered a preterm baby, or nearly 11%. Nanette Asimov, San Francisco Chronicle, 21 Mar. 2022 Some obstetricians would even administer alcohol intravenously to women who were at risk of a preterm birth in hopes of staving off labor. Emma Yasinkski, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Feb. 2022 See More
Madeline Halpert, Forbes, 11 Aug. 2022 But older moms are more likely to have preterm births, as are women infected with COVID-19, said the CDC's Joyce Martin, a study co-author. CBS News, 24 May 2022 But older moms are more likely to have preterm births, as are women infected with COVID-19, said the CDC’s Joyce Martin, a study co-author. Mike Stobbe, USA TODAY, 24 May 2022 Infections with gonorrhea and syphilis were more strongly associated with very preterm births, which meant between 28 and 31 weeks. Kristen Rogers, CNN, 29 Nov. 2021 The study, which included many high-risk Black women, showed that those on the medication saw a 34 percent reduction in their risk of having a preterm birth compared with those in a control group. New York Times, 25 Mar. 2022 In fact, the makers of Makena cited that precedent in arguing that their preterm-birth drug should remain available. New York Times, 25 Mar. 2022 Also, 143 of the women who tested positive delivered a preterm baby, or nearly 11%. Nanette Asimov, San Francisco Chronicle, 21 Mar. 2022 Some obstetricians would even administer alcohol intravenously to women who were at risk of a preterm birth in hopes of staving off labor. Emma Yasinkski, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Feb. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1928, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
preterm
adjective
pre·term -ˈtərm
: of, relating to, being, or born by premature birth
preterm infants
a preterm delivery
preterm labor