newborn

1 of 2

adjective

new·​born ˈnü-ˌbȯrn 

ˈnyü-

1

: recently born

2

: born anew

newborn

2 of 2

noun

plural newborn or newborns

: a newborn individual

Synonyms

Adjective

• energized
• freshened
• invigorated
• new
• reanimated
• reborn
• recreated
• reenergized
• refreshed
• regenerated
• reinvigorated
• renewed
• resuscitated
• revived

Noun

• babe
• baby
• bambino
• child
• infant
• neonate

Examples of newborn in a Sentence

Adjective

felt like a newborn activist after that pep rally

Noun

a mother goat and all of her newborn

intentionally bought clothes that were too big for her newborn but which undoubtedly would fit him in a few months

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Meanwhile, the burgeoning family in the foreground give unmissable thrills throughout the day: Jackie and Shadow making their respective trips in and out of the nest, delivering fish or materials, and the parents’ frequent repositioning offer glimpses of the newborn chicks nestled underneath. —Anusha Praturu, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025

One cold winter day, walking along an unpaved track, Dalton comes upon a newborn hare – a leveret – lying helpless on a grass strip. —Heller McAlpin, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 Mar. 2025

Noun

As politicians and policymakers insist that children are the future, many of them refuse to support the intensive caregiving required to transform newborns into functioning adults. —Anna Mae Duane, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2025

Still, there could be an opportunity to get a sneak peek at the newborn. —Darrell Smith, Sacramento Bee, 3 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1786, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing newborn

• hemolytic disease of the newborn

Kids Definition

newborn

1 of 2 adjective

new·​born ˈn(y)ü-ˈbȯ(ə)rn 

1

: recently born

2

: born anew

newborn

2 of 2 noun

plural newborn or newborns

: a newborn individual

Medical Definition

newborn

1 of 2 adjective

new·​born ˈn(y)ü-ˈbȯ(ə)rn 

1

: recently born

a newborn infant

2

: affecting or relating to the newborn

newborn

2 of 2 noun

new·​born -ˌbȯ(ə)rn 

plural newborn or newborns

: a newborn infant : neonate