1. not yet capable of sustaining independent life; occurring before the stage of viability (especially of a fetus)
Usage: medical/obstetric term; used in discussions of pregnancy and fetal development

Examples

• The previable fetus cannot survive outside the womb at this stage of development.
• Doctors explained that the pregnancy was still in the previable period.
• Previable infants lack the lung development necessary for independent breathing.
• The distinction between previable and viable pregnancies is important in medical ethics discussions.
• At 20 weeks, the fetus is still considered previable by most medical standards.