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
High levels of nitrite can cause methemoglobinemia, or blue baby syndrome, birth defects, and increase the risk of some cancers.
—
Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025
One in 33 babies in the United States are born with birth defects.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2025
Unsafe Medications Some medications have been linked to birth defects or may harm the baby, especially during the first three months of pregnancy.
—Emmanuella Ogbonna, Health, 23 Aug. 2025
Mercury poisoning can cause birth defects, particularly neurodevelopmental disorders.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for birth defect
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.
Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025
One in 33 babies in the United States are born with birth defects.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2025
Unsafe Medications Some medications have been linked to birth defects or may harm the baby, especially during the first three months of pregnancy.
—Emmanuella Ogbonna, Health, 23 Aug. 2025
Mercury poisoning can cause birth defects, particularly neurodevelopmental disorders.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for birth defect
Cite this Entry
“Birth defect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/birth%20defect. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share