premature

1 of 2

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

prematurity

ˌprē-mə-ˈchu̇r-ə-tē 

-ˈchər, 

-ˈtu̇r-, 

-ˈtyu̇r- 

noun

prematureness

2 of 2

noun

pre·​ma·​ture·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being premature : prematurity

Synonyms of premature

Adjective

• early
• untimely
• unexpected
• sudden
• precocious
• inopportune

Examples of premature in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

What is clear is that the franchise’s original star Shia LaBeouf will not return, and other conversations about cast are premature. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026

When salamanders need to regenerate their limbs or zebrafish their fins, injury cues preexisting cells to return to a more premature state to form a structure called a blastema. — Junsu Kang, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026

The press box announcer informed the media Sean Newcomb was coming in for the bottom of the ninth, but that announcement turned out to be premature. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 3 Oct. 2026

Machchhar also described an onboard emergency when a pregnant woman went into premature labor, forcing the crew to divert the plane. — Sheikh Saaliq, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin praematurus too early, from prae- + maturus ripe, mature

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1529, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for premature

• annexure
• embouchure
• epicure
• immature
• paramour
• reassure
• reinsure
• sinecure
• abjure
• adjure
• allure
• assure

Kids Definition

premature

adjective

pre·​ma·​ture ˌprē-mə-ˈt(y)u̇(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

prematurity

-ˈt(y)u̇r-ət-ē  -ˈchu̇r- 

noun

Medical Definition

premature

1 of 2 adjective

pre·​ma·​ture

-mə-ˈt(y)u̇(ə)r, -ˈchu̇(ə)r, chiefly British ˌprem-ə-

: 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

prematurely adverb

premature

2 of 2 noun

: preemie