newborn

1 of 2

adjective

Synonyms of newbornnext
1
: recently born
2
: born anew

newborn

2 of 2

noun

plural newborn or newborns
: a newborn individual

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
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.
Adjective
At the time, hospital officials said the facility would house pediatric and newborn intensive care units and a new surgical center. — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026 One is what is almost a very sweet photo of me and my newborn son both asleep on our bed. — Jenny Hughes, The Spruce, 29 Oct. 2026
Noun
The baby bonus would take a chunk of property tax money, estimated at $17 million a year, and give Scott and the city council authority on where to spend it to support newborns and young families. — Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026 Measles, mumps, rubella Unusually high numbers of measles cases have been reported in the United States this year, raising the risk of infections emerging in newborns. — Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for newborn

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1786, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of newborn was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Newborn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/newborn. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

Kids Definition

newborn

1 of 2 adjective
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
1
: recently born
a newborn infant
2
: affecting or relating to the newborn

newborn

2 of 2 noun
plural newborn or newborns
: a newborn infant : neonate
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