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
What’s more, a 2019 study in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine found that diets adequate in vitamin A, vitamin K, magnesium, zinc, and copper were associated with a lower risk of premature death—but only if those vitamins came from food rather than supplements.
—
Caroline Tien, SELF, 28 Apr. 2025
The judge said those arguments brought by Democrats were either premature or should be brought by states instead.
—Arkansas Online, 25 Apr. 2025
Scientists say that cuts out a vital resource for global health
Exposure to particle pollution is considered a significant factor in premature death around the world, according to the World Health Organization.
—Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2025
The Environmental Protection Network (EPN) subsequently warned that the rollbacks could result in 200,000 additional premature deaths and cause more than 100 million preventable asthma attacks through 2050.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for premature
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Caroline Tien, SELF, 28 Apr. 2025
The judge said those arguments brought by Democrats were either premature or should be brought by states instead.
—Arkansas Online, 25 Apr. 2025
Scientists say that cuts out a vital resource for global health
Exposure to particle pollution is considered a significant factor in premature death around the world, according to the World Health Organization.
—Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2025
The Environmental Protection Network (EPN) subsequently warned that the rollbacks could result in 200,000 additional premature deaths and cause more than 100 million preventable asthma attacks through 2050.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 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 1 May. 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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