childbirth

noun

child·​birth ˈchī(-ə)l(d)-ˌbərth 

: the act or process of giving birth to a baby : parturition

Synonyms of childbirth

• pregnancy
• childbearing
• delivery
• labor
• pains
• parturition
• contraction

Examples of childbirth in a Sentence

women who choose to undergo childbirth without the use of anesthetics and other drugs

Recent Examples on the Web

Cantrell has a history of unattended or undisclosed pregnancy and childbirth and was close to delivering, according to the relative’s account, described in a police record. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026

Older Armenian beliefs imagined that supernatural beings could threaten the woman after childbirth or harm her baby. — Shushan Karapetian, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 2026

But in earlier myths, Al Basty was described as a hearth deity and a protector of women in childbirth. — Yulia Denisyuk, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Oct. 2026

Her father, a military commander, is killed by the British Army during the French Revolutionary Wars of the late 18th century, and her mother dies during childbirth. — Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing childbirth

• die in childbirth
• natural childbirth

Rhymes for childbirth

• rebirth
• stillbirth
• tamworth
• unearth
• afterbirth
• berth
• birth
• dearth
• earth
• firth
• girth
• mirth

Kids Definition

childbirth

noun

child·​birth ˈchīl(d)-ˌbərth 

: the act or process of giving birth to children

called also parturition

Medical Definition

childbirth

noun

child·​birth ˈchīl(d)-ˌbərth 

: the act or process of giving birth to a baby : parturition