preterm
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: //ˈpriːtɜːrm//
KK: /ˈpriːtɜrm/
adjective
Definition
Happening or being born before the usual or expected time, especially in relation to pregnancy.
Example
The hospital has a special unit for caring for preterm infants.
Conversation
Did you hear about Sarah's baby?
Yeah, I heard she had a preterm delivery.
I hope the baby is doing okay after being born early.
I think so, they said the doctors are monitoring the preterm infant closely.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
premature
early
untimely
Antonyms
postterm
delayed
late
noun
Definition
A baby that is born before the usual time, specifically before 37 weeks of pregnancy have passed.
Example
The hospital has a special unit for caring for preterm infants.
Conversation
Did you hear about the new baby that was born at the hospital?
Yeah, I heard it's a preterm infant, right?
Exactly, they said the baby is doing well despite being preterm.
Root Explanation
Preterm is formed from "pre-" (meaning before) and "terminus" (meaning boundary or limit). The word refers to something that occurs before the expected time or limit, particularly in the context of birth.
Memory Tip
Think of 'pre-' meaning before, and 'terminus' meaning limit — this helps you remember that 'preterm' refers to something that happens before the usual limit.
Visually Confused Words
prester
retem
peter
presternum
presteam
peterman
pargeter
depreter