adj.
Pronunciation: ˌ pr ē -m ə - ' tyu ̇ r, - ' tu ̇ r, - ' chu ̇ r also ˌ pre-
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin praematurus too early, from prae- + maturus ripe, mature
Date: circa 1529
: 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
– pre · ma · ture · ly adverb
– pre · ma · ture · ness noun
– pre · ma · tu · ri · ty \ - ' tyu ̇ r- ə -t ē , - ' tu ̇ r-, - ' chu ̇ r- \ noun