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
Synonyms
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
May 21, 2024 The theory, which was presented by two Princeton economists in 2015 and based on data from 1999 to 2013, argued that despair was behind rising premature mortality rates among white Americans, especially those who were less educated.
—
Tyrone Beason, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2024
Four days later, on March 12, their son, Greyson Leo Phillips, was born 3 months premature via emergency C-section at Ilha Hospital e Maternidade in Florianopolis.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 15 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for premature 
Tyrone Beason, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2024
Four days later, on March 12, their son, Greyson Leo Phillips, was born 3 months premature via emergency C-section at Ilha Hospital e Maternidade in Florianopolis.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 15 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for premature
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Dictionary Entries Near premature
Cite this Entry
“Premature.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/premature. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
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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