premature

adjective

pre·​ma·​ture ˌprē-mə-ˈchu̇r 

-ˈchər

also -ˈtu̇r, 

-ˈtyu̇r 

also ˌpre-

: happening, arriving, existing, or performed before the proper, usual, or intended time

especially : born after a gestation period of less than 37 weeks

premature babies

premature noun

prematurely adverb

prematureness noun

prematurity

ˌprē-mə-ˈchu̇r-ə-tē 

-ˈchər, 

-ˈtu̇r-, 

-ˈtyu̇r- 

noun

Synonyms of premature

• early
• untimely
• unexpected
• sudden
• precocious
• inopportune

Examples of premature in a Sentence

Her premature death at age 30 stunned her family and friends.

Too much exposure to the sun can cause the premature aging of skin.

Recent Examples on the Web

The whistleblower, a former caseworker named Frances Shackelford, wrote that decisions to move elders into homes with ugly records often were premature or unjustified. —Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026

The warmth and premature melt mean the state’s forests will dry out a month or more earlier than usual, Gleick said, which increases the risk of wildfires. —Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026

Force a premature end to hostilities on terms favorable to survival. —Kazem Kazerounian, Hartford Courant, 1 Apr. 2026

Africa, the Middle East and South Asia carried the brunt of the premature health burden. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin praematurus too early, from prae- + maturus ripe, mature

First Known Use

circa 1529, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for premature

• annexure
• embouchure
• epicure
• immature
• paramour
• reassure
• reinsure
• sinecure
• abjure
• adjure
• allure
• assure

Kids Definition

premature

adjective

pre·​ma·​ture ˌprē-mə-ˈt(y)u̇(ə)r  -ˈchu̇(ə)r 

: happening, coming, existing, or done before the proper or usual time

especially : born after a period of pregnancy of less than 37 weeks

premature babies

prematurely adverb

prematurity

-ˈt(y)u̇r-ət-ē  -ˈchu̇r- 

noun

Medical Definition

premature

1 of 2 adjective

pre·​ma·​ture

-mə-ˈt(y)u̇(ə)r, -ˈchu̇(ə)r, chiefly British ˌprem-ə-

: happening, arriving, existing, or performed before the proper, usual, or intended time

premature puberty

premature aging

especially : born after a gestation period of less than 37 weeks

premature babies

prematurely adverb

premature

2 of 2 noun

: preemie