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

• early
• inopportune
• precocious
• unseasonable
• untimely

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

When decisions are still in flux, premature updates can lead to confusion instead of clarity. —Antony Robinson, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

And this week, University of California Riverside and Caltech scientists published a study arguing that the air pollution from AI power plants and backup generators could result in 1,300 premature deaths a year in the U.S. by 2030. —Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 11 Dec. 2024

Our tribute to the premature ends that broke our hearts this year. —Ew Staff, EW.com, 6 Dec. 2024

The event has hired someone who made his name as a unique dual-sport athlete, in skiing and football, who took the NCAA to task over NIL rights after the premature end of his collegiate career. —Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

circa 1529, in the meaning defined above

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