ENGLISH
REFERENCE

premature

adj. · n.
US //ˌpɹiməˈtʃʊɹ// UK //pɹɪmətʃˈɔː// pre·ma·ture
  1. 1 happening too soon (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    happening or done before the right time or before you are ready.

    occurring or performed before the proper or expected time; often implies that the action was hasty or ill-timed.

    Example

    It is a bit premature to celebrate when we haven't seen the final results yet.

    Example

    The director's premature announcement of the merger caused significant volatility in the stock market before the official contracts were even signed.
  2. 2 born early (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

    born before the full period of pregnancy is finished.

    relating to an infant born before the end of the standard gestation period.

    Example

    The premature twins needed to stay in the hospital for a few extra weeks.

    Example

    Medical advancements have significantly improved the survival rates for extremely premature infants born before twenty-six weeks of gestation.
    • preterm
    • full term
Show 2 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 a baby born early (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Medicine

    a baby that is born before it is fully developed.

    an infant born before the completion of the normal gestation period.

    Example

    The hospital has a special unit dedicated to caring for prematures.

    Example

    The neonatal intensive care unit provides specialized respiratory support for prematures whose lungs are not yet fully functional.
    • preemie
  2. 4 sexual dysfunction (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Informal Medicine

    used to describe a man who reaches a sexual climax too quickly.

    referring to the occurrence of ejaculation sooner than desired, typically before or shortly after penetration.

    Example

    He was worried that his premature climax would affect his relationship.

    Example

    Clinical psychologists often treat premature ejaculation through a combination of behavioral exercises and anxiety management techniques.

    Usage

    Almost exclusively used in the set phrase 'premature ejaculation'.

Origin

From Latin praemātūrus, equivalent to pre- + mature. First use appears c. 1440 in a translation of Palladius's De Re Rustica.

Word family

© 2026 English Reference