premature

adjective

pre·ma·ture | \ ˌprē-mə-ˈtyu̇r

, -ˈtu̇r, -ˈchu̇r also ˌpre-

Definition of premature

: 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

Other Words from premature Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about premature

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Other Words from premature

premature noun

prematurely adverb

prematureness noun

prematurity \ ˌprē-mə-ˈtyu̇r-ə-tē

, -ˈtu̇r- , -ˈchu̇r-

\ noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for premature

Synonyms

early, inopportune, precocious, unseasonable, untimely

Antonyms

late

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

So when news of a modern reboot for television first trickled out in 2015, this development triggered both cautious optimism and premature regret. — Nathan Mattise, Ars Technica, "Kevin Bacon shares the Tremors TV pilot—Val is washed, Graboids are hungry," 9 June 2019 Citizens and scientists alike, inspired by the discoveries and images the telescope had produced, clearly weren’t ready for the telescope’s premature retirement. — Mara Johnson-groh, Quartz, "Art plays an invaluable role in groundbreaking space discoveries," 8 June 2019 This free-radical fighting power isn't just important for helping to keep signs of premature aging at bay. — Rebecca Dancer, Allure, "Everything You Need to Know About Vitamin C, the Holy Grail of Skin-Care Ingredients," 23 May 2019 But that study also found that cannabis use was associated with premature ejaculation. — Sarah Jacoby, SELF, "How Does Cannabis Actually Affect Sex?," 25 Mar. 2019 Two percent of those babies born that premature survive without severe impairment. — Jennifer Wright, Harper's BAZAAR, "Anti-Abortion Activists Are Still Defending Forced Birth with Debunked Science," 26 Jan. 2019 As troubling as postpartum complications like mine are, the risks associated with premature delivery mean expecting mothers dealing with severe gallstone pain face a doubly hard situation. — Kate Wehr, Good Housekeeping, "Gallstones Are the Pregnancy Complication No One Warned Me About," 18 Apr. 2019 Research has shown that social isolation puts people at a greater risk of heart disease, dementia and memory loss, and premature mortality. — Nicole Brodeur, The Seattle Times, "Are LGBTQ seniors dying of loneliness? It’s possible, research says," 11 Apr. 2019 The firing of a white Dallas police officer who fatally shot her black neighbor inside his own apartment was premature and unfair, an attorney for the officer says. — Ryan Tarinelli, Fox News, "Lawyer: Firing of officer who killed neighbor is premature," 25 Sep. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'premature.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near premature

Statistics for premature

Last Updated

14 Jun 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for premature

The first known use of premature was circa 1529

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More Definitions for premature

premature

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of premature

: happening too soon or earlier than usual

: born before the normal time

See the full definition for premature in the English Language Learners Dictionary

premature

adjective

pre·ma·ture | \ ˌprē-mə-ˈtu̇r

, -ˈtyu̇r, -ˈchu̇r\

Kids Definition of premature

: happening, coming, or done before the usual or proper time : too early a premature decision premature infants

premature

adjective

pre·ma·ture | \ -mə-ˈt(y)u̇(ə)r, -ˈchu̇(ə)r, chiefly British ˌprem-ə-\

Medical Definition of premature

(Entry 1 of 2)

: happening, arriving, existing, or performed before the proper, usual, or intended time premature puberty premature aging especially : born after a gestation period of less than 37 weeks premature babies