birth defect

noun

: a physical or biochemical defect that is present at birth and may be inherited or environmentally induced

Examples of birth defect in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For example, in the 1980s the state health department concluded that a cluster of birth defects and miscarriages in a San Jose neighborhood was linked to organic solvent contamination from the local chip plant. —Arlene Blum, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

Recent research has shown a newborn’s fat mass at birth is associated with obesity as a preschooler, while other studies have shown the risk of major birth defects increases with an expectant mother’s weight. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 22 Nov. 2024

State officials stopped studying instances of cancer and birth defects related to the site in 2014 because of data limitations, a move supported by community members at the time. —Austin Corona, The Arizona Republic, 15 Nov. 2024

Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. —Sarah Volpenhein, Journal Sentinel, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1864, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

birth defect

noun

: a serious defect (as in physical or mental function) that is present at birth and is inherited or caused by something that happens or exists in the environment

Medical Definition

birth defect

noun

: a physical or biochemical defect (as cleft palate, phenylketonuria, or Down syndrome) that is present at birth and may be inherited or environmentally induced