premature

[ pree-muh-choor, -toor, -tyoor, pree-muh-chooror, especially British, prem-uh-, prem-uh- ]

adjective

1. occurring, coming, or done too soon:

   a premature announcement.

2. mature or ripe before the proper time.

noun

1. a premature infant.

premature

/ ˌprɛməˈtjʊə; ˈprɛməˌtjʊə /

adjective

1. occurring or existing before the normal or expected time
2. impulsive or hasty

   a premature judgment

3. (of an infant) weighing less than 2500 g (5 1 2 lbs) and usually born before the end of the full period of gestation

Derived Forms

• ˌpremaˈtureness, noun
• ˌpremaˈturely, adverb

Other Words From

• prema·turely adverb
• prema·turi·ty prema·tureness noun
• unpre·ma·ture adjective
• unpre·ma·turely adverb
• unpre·ma·tureness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of premature¹

From the Latin word praemātūrus, dating back to 1520–30. See pre-, mature

Word History and Origins

Origin of premature¹

C16: from Latin praemātūrus, very early, from prae in advance + mātūrus ripe

Example Sentences

A couple are celebrating the unexpected arrival of their premature son who was born in their car after it got stuck in flood water.

From BBC

State biologists had also recommended against designating the western Joshua tree as threatened, saying concerns about the effects of climate change were premature.

From Los Angeles Times

Studies have shown that homelessness increases the chances of health complications for the mother and the child, including premature birth and newborns requiring intensive care.

From Los Angeles Times

Last year, for example, legislators added an update to the ban for patients diagnosed with previable premature rupture of membranes, in which a patient’s water breaks before a fetus can survive.

From Salon

“In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn,” the Food and Safety Inspection Service said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• immature
• incomplete
• untimely