birth

1 of 3

noun

plural births
1
a
: the emergence of a new individual from the body of its parent see also date of birth
b
: the act or process of bringing forth young from the womb
2
: a state resulting from being born especially at a particular time or place
a Southerner by birth
3
b
: high or noble birth
4
a
archaic : one that is born

birth

2 of 3

verb

birthed; birthing; births

transitive verb

1
chiefly dialectal : to bring forth
2
a
: to give rise to : originate
b
: to give birth to

intransitive verb

: to bring forth or be brought forth as a child or young

birth

3 of 3

adjective

: biological sense 3
his birth mother

Examples of birth in a Sentence

Noun He was present at the birth of his daughter. The hospital reported an increase in premature births. Please indicate your date of birth. the period from birth to adolescence a disease that is present at birth the birth of the solar system the birth of the blues We are witnessing the birth of a new era. Verb back in those days a woman her age would have birthed several children Adjective argued that the birth mother had not been informed of all of her options at the time of the adoption
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Rattlesnakes are most active outdoors from April through October, typically mating in the warmer months before giving birth in the fall, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Tanasia Kenney, Sacramento Bee, 11 Feb. 2025 In 2016, then-President Barack Obama erased the Pentagon policy that kept people who did not identify with their gender at birth from joining the ranks. Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
The idea for the Spirit Tunnel was birthed in the first season when Hudson came out of her dressing room and was greeted by her staff. Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2025 Elisabeth injects herself with a neon-green liquid, only for a younger, prettier version of herself to be birthed bloodily from her back in the form of Sue (Margaret Qualley). Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
If self-paid, a birth doula can cost $1,200 to $4,000, depending on whether pre- and post-birth visits are included. Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 3 May 2024 The pregnancy announcement, the gender reveal, the baby shower, the pregnancy photo shoot, the birth photo shoot, the post-birth photo shoot, the sip-n-see. Shani Silver, refinery29.com, 31 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for birth 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old Norse byrth; akin to Old English beran

First Known Use

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1831, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

1958, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of birth was in the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near birth

Cite this Entry

“Birth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/birth. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

birth

noun
ˈbərth
1
a
: the coming out of a new individual from the body of its parent
b
: the act or process of bringing forth young from the uterus
2
: descent sense 1, lineage
noble birth
3

Medical Definition

birth

1 of 3 noun
1
: the emergence of a new individual from the body of its parent
2
: the act or process of bringing forth young from the womb

birth

2 of 3 transitive verb
: to give birth to
allowed to birth her child in her own wayNancy Robinson

intransitive verb

: to bring forth or be brought forth as a child or young
contend that birthing is a natural process, rather than a medical procedureKit Miniclier
the baby birthed breechJayne Anne Phillips

birth

3 of 3 adjective
: biological sense 3
spent years searching for his birth parents

More from Merriam-Webster on birth

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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