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
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 Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, which recommends using acetaminophen to treat fever and pain in pregnant women, says that untreated fever can cause grave harms such as miscarriage, birth defects or premature birth, especially early in a pregnancy.
—
Jon Hamilton, NPR, 23 Sep. 2025
The group stressed that autism is a lifelong, complex condition with no single cause or cure, and that premature claims about acetaminophen or leucovorin ignore decades of rigorous research and risk creating false hope and harm.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2025
May Support Longevity and Chronic Disease Prevention Results from a 2022 study found that consuming higher amounts of olive oil may lower the risks of premature death from all causes and certain types of diseases.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 23 Sep. 2025
Any higher, and investors might start worrying that the Fed's quarter-point cut last week was premature and could allow inflation to sink its claws into the economy again.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for premature
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Jon Hamilton, NPR, 23 Sep. 2025
The group stressed that autism is a lifelong, complex condition with no single cause or cure, and that premature claims about acetaminophen or leucovorin ignore decades of rigorous research and risk creating false hope and harm.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2025
May Support Longevity and Chronic Disease Prevention Results from a 2022 study found that consuming higher amounts of olive oil may lower the risks of premature death from all causes and certain types of diseases.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 23 Sep. 2025
Any higher, and investors might start worrying that the Fed's quarter-point cut last week was premature and could allow inflation to sink its claws into the economy again.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for premature
Cite this Entry
“Premature.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/premature. Accessed 26 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
premature
adjective
pre·ma·ture
ˌprē-mə-ˈt(y)u̇(ə)r
-ˈchu̇(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
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