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
When his children are left to be premature breadwinners, not a moment goes by without a scuffle between family.
—
Stephen Saito, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025
Such loss can make people vulnerable to fractures and lead to premature osteoporosis, but more research is needed to learn whether the bone loss persists long after the space flight.
—Jen Christensen, CNN, 18 Mar. 2025
But lifting Western sanctions is premature—Russia must take steps first.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
Her baby was born premature, and died.
—Alexandra Schwartz, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for premature
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Stephen Saito, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025
Such loss can make people vulnerable to fractures and lead to premature osteoporosis, but more research is needed to learn whether the bone loss persists long after the space flight.
—Jen Christensen, CNN, 18 Mar. 2025
But lifting Western sanctions is premature—Russia must take steps first.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
Her baby was born premature, and died.
—Alexandra Schwartz, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 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 18 Apr. 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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