First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1birth
noun, often attributive \ˈbərth\
: the time when a baby comes out from the body of its mother
: the beginning or origin of something
—used to describe the kind of family a person comes from
Full Definition of BIRTH
1
a : the emergence of a new individual from the body of its parent 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
a : lineage, extraction b : high or noble birth
See birth defined for English-language learners
See birth defined for kids
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Origin of BIRTH
Middle English, from Old Norse byrth; akin to Old English beran
Other Embryology Terms
2birth
verb
Definition of BIRTH
transitive verb
1
chiefly dialect : 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
First Known Use of BIRTH
1855
3birth
adjective
Definition of BIRTH
: biological 3 <his birth mother>
First Known Use of BIRTH
1975
Related to BIRTH
- Synonyms
- biological (also biologic), natural, consanguineous
- Antonyms
- adopted, adoptive, nonbiological
BIRTH Defined for Kids
birth
noun \ˈbərth\
Definition of BIRTH for Kids
1
: the coming of a new individual from the body of its parent
2
: the act of bringing into life
3
: lineage 1 <a person of noble birth>
4
: origin 3 <the birth of a star>
Learn More About BIRTH
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