ˌpriːməˈtuɚ 
ˌpriːməˈtʃuɚ
ˌpriːməˈtʃuɚ
British ˈprɛmətʃə
1
: happening too soon or earlier than usual
Her premature death at age 30 stunned her family and friends.
Too much exposure to the sun can cause the premature aging of skin.
His retirement seems premature.
It is premature to say [=too soon to say] what the cause of the fire was.
a premature birth
2
: born before the normal time
premature babies
The baby was three weeks premature. [=the baby was born three weeks before it was expected to be born]
Cite this Entry
“Premature.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/premature. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
Copy Citation
