Meaning & Definition
noun
A baby born before the normal gestational period.
The hospital has a specialized unit for the care of prematures.
adjective
Occurring or done before the proper or expected time.
The baby's birth was considered premature, arriving two months before the due date.
Happening before the usual or expected time.
He made a premature decision to sell his stocks, which later increased in value.
Lacking maturity or not fully developed.
The project's premature launch led to numerous unresolved issues.
Etymology
From Latin 'praematurus', meaning 'too early'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
prematurely gray:
referring to someone who has gray hair at a younger age than usual.
premature ejaculation:
a condition in which a man reaches orgasm sooner than desired during sexual activity.
premature aging:
the process of aging before the typical age range.
Slang Meanings
jumping the gun
He jumped the gun with his plan, announcing it too early.
too soon
It's too soon to tell if the project will succeed.