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
To those who watched him, the premature end to his career prolonged a day that would have otherwise come long ago.
—
Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 31 July 2025
This pollution is associated with premature deaths and hospitalizations from respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses.
—Ignacio Calderon, USA Today, 31 July 2025
Spending a lot of time sitting has been associated with a higher risk of premature death, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 31 July 2025
The most recent Clean Car and Truck Standards finalized under President Biden is estimated to deliver net benefits up to $1.6 trillion, prevent up to 2,500 premature deaths per year, and save consumers an average of $6,000 in fuel and maintenance costs per vehicle.
—Margo T. Oge, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for premature
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Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 31 July 2025
This pollution is associated with premature deaths and hospitalizations from respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses.
—Ignacio Calderon, USA Today, 31 July 2025
Spending a lot of time sitting has been associated with a higher risk of premature death, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 31 July 2025
The most recent Clean Car and Truck Standards finalized under President Biden is estimated to deliver net benefits up to $1.6 trillion, prevent up to 2,500 premature deaths per year, and save consumers an average of $6,000 in fuel and maintenance costs per vehicle.
—Margo T. Oge, Forbes.com, 30 July 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 6 Aug. 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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