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
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
First described by Yale psychologist Irving Janis in 1972, groupthink leads to premature decisions, often bad ones, spurred by conformity within groups where any one person feels that disagreement is impossible.
—
Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 2 Apr. 2025
Transportation is America’s largest sources of harmful air pollution and vehicle tailpipe emissions are tied to higher rates of asthma and premature death.
—Margo T. Oge, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
But in the interest of premature judgment — what fun is collecting all the facts?
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2025
The county was found to have higher rates of premature deaths (years of potential life lost before age 75); housing problems like overcrowding, high costs and lacking kitchen facilities; and a high child care cost burden.
—Justin L. MacK, Axios, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for premature
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Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 2 Apr. 2025
Transportation is America’s largest sources of harmful air pollution and vehicle tailpipe emissions are tied to higher rates of asthma and premature death.
—Margo T. Oge, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
But in the interest of premature judgment — what fun is collecting all the facts?
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2025
The county was found to have higher rates of premature deaths (years of potential life lost before age 75); housing problems like overcrowding, high costs and lacking kitchen facilities; and a high child care cost burden.
—Justin L. MacK, Axios, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for premature
Cite this Entry
“Premature.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/premature. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.
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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