preexisting

adjective

pre·​ex·​ist·​ing ˌprē-ig-ˈzi-stiŋ How to pronounce preexisting (audio)
: existing at an earlier time
a preexisting medical condition

Examples of preexisting in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While economists are still sorting out how potential tariffs will impact consumer spending in 2025, two research papers published just prior to the president-elect’s trade announcement against Mexico, Canada and China, identified several preexisting challenges already in place. Arthur Zaczkiewicz, WWD, 2 Dec. 2024 Now the school, which contains a mix of preexisting and new faculty and programs, is launching a two-year Master of Science in Climate. Andrew Freedman, Axios, 31 Oct. 2024 Above that are observational studies that collect and analyze preexisting data in a systematic way. Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2024 The doctored image is based on a preexisting popular photo of a young boy wearing a monkey costume while using an iPad in an Apple Store, which became popularized on the internet in the early 2010s. Jack Irvin, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for preexisting 

Word History

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of preexisting was in 1599

Dictionary Entries Near preexisting

Cite this Entry

“Preexisting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preexisting. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

preexisting

adjective
pre·​ex·​ist·​ing ˌprē-ig-ˈzi-stiŋ How to pronounce preexisting (audio)
variants or pre-existing
: existing or present earlier or before a certain point of time
In 1990, over 60 percent of group health insurance plans contained exclusions of coverage for preexisting conditions, signifying the denial of benefits for any illness present at the time the insurance is obtained.Thomas Bodenheimer, in The New England Journal of Medicine

More from Merriam-Webster on preexisting

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