: a boy or girl not yet 13 years old
1
: relating to or produced for children especially in the 9 to 12 year-old age group
preteen fashions
2
: being younger than 13
Examples of preteen in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Simone Melvin, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
And unlike other vaccines recommended in the early adolescent years, such as the meningococcal vaccine and the Tdap booster—which are required by most or all states for entry into secondary school—HPV is mandated for preteens in only a handful of jurisdictions.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 19 June 2025
Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
The Disney+ original movie Out of My Mind, based on the novel of the same name by Sharon M. Draper, follows preteen Melody Brooks (Phoebe-Rae Taylor), a girl with cerebral palsy.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 8 June 2025
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Noun
Products for preteens quickly became Evereden’s fastest-growing segment.
—Simone Melvin, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
And unlike other vaccines recommended in the early adolescent years, such as the meningococcal vaccine and the Tdap booster—which are required by most or all states for entry into secondary school—HPV is mandated for preteens in only a handful of jurisdictions.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 19 June 2025
Adjective
Eli Mintz, a Yiddish-theatre star, played Uncle David with a high, wheedling voice, his hands a blur of gesticulation, and the Goldberg children were portrayed by Gentile actors, including the endearing Arlene (Fuzzy) McQuade as the preteen Rosalie, a studious girl with a sleek bob.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
The Disney+ original movie Out of My Mind, based on the novel of the same name by Sharon M. Draper, follows preteen Melody Brooks (Phoebe-Rae Taylor), a girl with cerebral palsy.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for preteen
Cite this Entry
“Preteen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preteen. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
preteen
1 of 2 noun
pre·teen
ˈprē-ˈtēn 
: a boy or girl not yet 13 years old
preteen
2 of 2 adjective1
: relating to or produced for children especially in the 9 to 12 year-old age group
preteen fashions
2
: being younger than 13 years old
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