premature

[ pree-muh-choo r, -too r, -tyoo r, pree-muh-choo r or, esp. British, prem-uh-, prem-uh- ]
/ ˌpri məˈtʃʊər, -ˈtʊər, -ˈtyʊər, ˈpri məˌtʃʊər or, esp. British, ˌprɛm ə-, ˈprɛm ə- /

adjective

occurring, coming, or done too soon: a premature announcement.
mature or ripe before the proper time.

noun

a premature infant.

Origin of premature

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

OTHER WORDS FROM premature

Example sentences from the Web for premature

British Dictionary definitions for premature

premature
/ (ˌprɛməˈtjʊə, ˈprɛməˌtjʊə) /

adjective

occurring or existing before the normal or expected time
impulsive or hasty a premature judgment
(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 of premature

prematurely, adverb prematureness or prematurity, noun

Word Origin for premature

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

Medical definitions for premature

premature
[ prē′mə-chur, -tur ]

adj.

Occurring or developing before the usual or expected time.
Born after a gestation period of less than the normal time, especially, in human infants, after a period of less than 37 weeks.

Other words from premature

pre′ma•turi•ty n.