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

Studies done on rodents suggest there could be birth defects and problems with metabolic function, but no large studies have been conducted on humans. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 5 June 2025

Taking too much vitamin A can lead to birth defects. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025

Starting in the 1990s, the U.S. began helping its former enemy address wartime legacies such as Agent Orange, a herbicide dropped from planes during the war to clear jungle brush, and which was later found to cause a wide range of health problems, including cancer and birth defects. —David Rising and Aniruddha Ghosal, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025

The virus is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, as it can be passed to their fetus and cause serious birth defects and pregnancy complications. —Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2025

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