1
a
: brought forth by or as if by birth
The baby was born prematurely.
She was born in Germany.
a mentality born in the computer age
b
: native
usually used in combination
American-born
c
: deriving or resulting from
a partnership born of necessity
usually used in combination
poverty-born crime
2
a
: having from birth specified qualities
was born blind
Mark Twain was born Samuel Clemens.
a born leader
b
: being in specified circumstances from birth
nobly born
born poor
born into wealth
3
: destined from or as if from birth
born to succeed

Examples of born in a Sentence

She was born in a hospital. He was born on a farm. She was born in Nigeria in 1911. The baby was born on July 31st. Their second son was born prematurely. Both twins were born healthy.
Recent Examples on the Web Shaw has said he was reborn after the shooting and years later would become a born-again Christian. Jordan Blum, Houston Chronicle, 9 June 2019 In his mid-40s, Mr. Phillips had quietly become a born-again Christian after attending a Billy Graham rally. James R. Hagerty, WSJ, 18 Jan. 2019 Some team members, like Gregory and Chris, both 13 years old and born days apart, have been playing together since the age of 6 or 7. Melanie Grayce West, WSJ, 21 Aug. 2018 The 18-year-old, born Megan Bulow, only just finished school. Lyndsey Havens, Billboard, 26 June 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'born.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English boren, past participle of beran to carry — more at bear

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of born was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near born

Cite this Entry

“Born.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/born. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

born

adjective
1
a
: brought into life by or as if by birth
b
: native entry 1 sense 2
American-born
2
: having from birth a certain ability or characteristic
a born leader
3
: meant from or as if from birth
born to rule

Biographical Definition

Born

biographical name

Max 1882–1970 German physicist

More from Merriam-Webster on born

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