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
The center has found a relationship between eviction and health and even premature death.
—
Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2024
Nurses Taylor and Drew Deras doted on tiny and fragile baby Ella, one of their premature NICU patients who was born at 23 weeks, weighing just over a pound.
—Sydney Page, Washington Post, 12 Apr. 2024
This also helps the skin fight off premature fine lines and other signs of aging.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2024
Bob’s wife, Mary, had gone into premature labor in the 1980s with their twin boys, and one died in the hospital two days later.
—Eli Saslow Erin Schaff Eli Saslow, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2024
When Wiig protested at Gosling’s premature Five-Timers jacket, Michaels nodded at Gosling not to worry about it.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 7 Apr. 2024
Loneliness increases one’s vulnerability to sickness, depression, chronic illness and premature death.
—Frank J. Infurna, The Conversation, 5 Apr. 2024
As reports surfaced of women being denied treatment for premature ruptures and ectopic pregnancies, Hughes sent a letter to the state medical board, suggesting that physicians were at fault.
—Stephania Taladrid, The New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2024
Sources familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak publicly said anything regarding James’ future at USC is premature.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2024
Nurses Taylor and Drew Deras doted on tiny and fragile baby Ella, one of their premature NICU patients who was born at 23 weeks, weighing just over a pound.
—Sydney Page, Washington Post, 12 Apr. 2024
This also helps the skin fight off premature fine lines and other signs of aging.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2024
Bob’s wife, Mary, had gone into premature labor in the 1980s with their twin boys, and one died in the hospital two days later.
—Eli Saslow Erin Schaff Eli Saslow, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2024
When Wiig protested at Gosling’s premature Five-Timers jacket, Michaels nodded at Gosling not to worry about it.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 7 Apr. 2024
Loneliness increases one’s vulnerability to sickness, depression, chronic illness and premature death.
—Frank J. Infurna, The Conversation, 5 Apr. 2024
As reports surfaced of women being denied treatment for premature ruptures and ectopic pregnancies, Hughes sent a letter to the state medical board, suggesting that physicians were at fault.
—Stephania Taladrid, The New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2024
Sources familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak publicly said anything regarding James’ future at USC is premature.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'premature.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near premature
Cite this Entry
“Premature.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/premature. Accessed 23 Apr. 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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