prodromal

adjective

pro·​dro·​mal (ˌ)prō-ˈdrō-məl How to pronounce prodromal (audio)
medical : being a prodrome
… about 50% of patients may have prodromal symptoms that include malaise and fever.— James W. Wheless
: marked by prodromes
… the prodromal stage of Alzheimer's.— Barbara Ehrenreich
After exposure to mouse droppings and a compatible incubation period, a prodromal phase of fever, chills, headache, myalgias, and vomiting was followed within 3 to 7 days by the cardiopulmonary phase of cough and dyspnea.— David K. Rhee et al.
prodromal individuals

Examples of prodromal in a Sentence

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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.
Similarities Despite their differences, hidradenitis suppurativa and herpes simplex virus are both chronic (long-term) conditions that may involve a prodromal phase and affect quality of life. — Brandi Jones, Msn-Ed, Health, 14 July 2024 Early Parkinson’s detection and more The results of this experiment may help drive research into prodromal Parkinson’s disease. — IEEE Spectrum, 11 July 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1716, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prodromal was in 1716

Rhymes for prodromal

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Cite this Entry

“Prodromal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prodromal. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.

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Medical Definition

prodromal

adjective
pro·​dro·​mal (ˈ)prō-ˈdrō-məl How to pronounce prodromal (audio)
variants also prodromic
-mik How to pronounce prodromal (audio)
: being a prodrome
The rash may be pruritic, maculopapular, or morbilliform, and about 50% of patients may have prodromal symptoms that include malaise and fever.— James W. Wheless, WebMD Scientific American Medicine
: marked by prodromes
the prodromal stage of a disease
For 84 (92%) of the patients, a prodromal illness occurring within two weeks before the onset of vomiting or neurological symptoms of Reye's syndrome was reported.— The Journal of the American Medical Association
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