premie

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premie

A tiny premie sleeps peacefully in a hospital incubator.

Definition

Noun: A baby born before the completion of 37 weeks of pregnancy; a preterm infant.

Usage

The term "premie" is an informal, shortened form of "premature baby." It is commonly used in everyday conversation, especially among parents and healthcare providers in casual contexts, to refer to an infant born preterm. * The neonatal unit is caring for several premies this week. * As a premie, she needed extra care in her first few months. * Their twins were premies, so they stayed in the hospital a little longer.

Advanced Usage
  • The term is often used with a sense of endearment or familiarity when discussing the challenges and milestones of a preterm birth.
    • Our little premie just reached five pounds!
Variants and Related Words
  • Premature baby / infant (noun): The standard, more formal term for a baby born before 37 weeks of gestation.
  • Preterm (adjective): Used to describe the birth or the infant itself (e.g., a preterm birth, preterm infants).
  • Preemie (noun): An alternative, common spelling of "premie."
Synonyms
  • Preterm infant
  • Premature baby
  • Preterm baby
Notes on Meaning
  • The core meaning specifies birth before 37 weeks of gestation. Babies born at or after 37 weeks are considered full-term.
  • While informal, the word is widely understood and carries a neutral to affectionate connotation, focusing on the infant's early arrival rather than any medical condition.
premie

A tiny premie sleeps peacefully in a hospital incubator.

Noun
  1. an infant that is born prior to 37 weeks of gestation