Definition

Noun: 1. The end of gestation or point at which birth is imminent: This refers to the completion of the typical duration of a pregnancy, specifically the period around 40 weeks from the first day of the last menstrual period. A birth occurring at this time is considered to have reached the expected developmental stage.

Usage

• As a noun: Used to describe a pregnancy that has reached its expected completion or a baby born after completing this standard gestational period.
  • The doctor confirmed the pregnancy reached full term.
  • Most babies are born at full term.

Examples

• The goal of prenatal care is to ensure the mother carries the baby to full term.
• Infants born at full term generally have fewer health complications than those born prematurely.
• Her due date marked the beginning of the full term period.

Advanced Usage

• "To carry to full term": To remain pregnant until the standard gestational period is complete.
  • Despite some early concerns, she managed to carry the baby to full term.
• "Full-term infant/baby": A compound adjective-noun phrase describing a newborn who was born at the completion of a standard pregnancy.
  • The full-term infant was discharged from the hospital with her mother. (Note: 'full-term' here is a compound adjective modifying 'infant').

Variants and Related Words

• Term (noun): Can refer to the duration of a pregnancy. Often seen in the phrase "to go to term," meaning to carry a pregnancy to its natural conclusion.
• Full-term (adjective): Used attributively to describe something related to a completed pregnancy (e.g., a full-term pregnancy, a full-term delivery). This is a compound word.
• Premature (adjective): Describing a birth that occurs before the full term period.

Synonyms

• At term: Having reached the expected end of gestation.
• Completed gestation: The state of having finished the typical pregnancy period.

Antonyms

• Preterm: Occurring before the full term of pregnancy.
• Premature: Happening, arriving, or performed before the proper or usual time; especially applied to birth.

Notes

• In medical and common usage, "full term" is a standard concept in obstetrics. It is important to distinguish the noun phrase "full term" from the compound adjective "full-term." The hyphenated form is typically used when it directly modifies a noun (e.g., a full-term baby).

Noun

1. the end of gestation or point at which birth is imminent
   • a healthy baby born at full term