antenatal

American  

[an-tee-neyt-l] / ˌæn tiˈneɪt l /

adjective

1. prenatal.

   an antenatal clinic.

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antenatal British  

/ ˌæntɪˈneɪtəl /

adjective

1. occurring or present before birth; during pregnancy

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noun

1. Also called: prenatal.  informal an examination during pregnancy

Other Word Forms

• antenatally adverb

Etymology

Origin of antenatal

First recorded in 1810–20; ante- + natal

Compare meaning

How does antenatal compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• antenatal vs. prenatal

Example Sentences

The reviews are likely to have included nine antenatal stillbirths that occurred between July 2021 and February 2022 at Worthing Hospital, which is also run by UH Sussex trust.

From BBC • Feb. 12, 2026

She's found herself in "identity limbo" between her old friends and the new group of mums she's met through antenatal classes.

From BBC • Oct. 12, 2025

The inquiry includes a review of the antenatal care provided by the trust.

From BBC • Feb. 6, 2025

Given the recent steady decline in birth rate in Sweden, the researchers propose monitoring in antenatal care to address the problem.

From Science Daily • Nov. 25, 2024

And this, of course, is natural, for they had been in the world, had loved and suffered, so long before us that they seem a part of that antenatal mystery out of which we sprang.

From Different Girls by Various