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

The regulator’s tight guidelines are designed to ensure that drugs don’t cause severe outcomes like birth defects or cancer, as well as confirm that the drugs are actually effective. — Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 29 Oct. 2026

Women who worked in chip fabs during the ’80s manufacturing heyday were twice as likely to suffer miscarriages than women who didn’t, and their children were also more likely to experience birth defects. — Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 29 Oct. 2026

Long-term exposure has been linked to asthma and, in laboratory studies on animals, reproductive issues and birth defects. — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Consider the tragic story of thalidomide, a morning sickness drug that caused thousands of birth defects and miscarriages. — Sajish Mathew, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2026

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