Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus
view recents

childbirth

noun
Save Word
child·​birth | \ ˈchī(-ə)l(d)-ˌbərth How to pronounce childbirth (audio) \

Definition of childbirth

: the act or process of giving birth to a baby : parturition
Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about childbirth

Keep scrolling for more

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 Rohrig said a higher percentage of people die from donating a kidney or in childbirth. — Peter Fimrite, SFChronicle.com, "To speed a vaccine, thousands volunteer to be infected with the coronavirus. But that’s not happening. Yet.," 16 Nov. 2020 In her first official work of fiction since 2013's Americanah, Adichie delves into the many complications of childbirth. — Seija Rankin, EW.com, "Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie wrote her first piece of fiction since Americanah — read an excerpt," 7 Oct. 2020 Recent studies show that Black children are three times more likely than white children to die after surgery, and pregnant Black women are three times more likely to die in childbirth than white women. — Amber Randall, sun-sentinel.com, "A South Florida COVID-19 vaccine trial is recruiting minority participants. Will it be successful?," 6 Oct. 2020 Nationwide, Black women are three to four times more likely to die in childbirth than white women. — Candice Wang, Popular Science, "Black mothers face high death rates. Now they have to contend with climate change, too.," 4 Aug. 2020 His daughter, Julia, who had been married to Pompey, died in childbirth in 54 B.C. — Alamy/ Aci, National Geographic, "Egypt's last pharaoh was the 'love child' of Caesar and Cleopatra," 15 Oct. 2020 The temazcal was likely used for medicinal purposes, rituals and childbirth, according to Mexico News Daily. — Brigit Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, "14th-Century Steam Bath Found in Mexico City," 24 Jan. 2020 Singapore has struggled to reverse the trend since the 1980s, with public campaigns encouraging childbirth and a host of financial and tax incentives unable to stop its slump. — Rob Picheta, CNN, "Singapore will pay citizens to have a baby during the pandemic," 6 Oct. 2020 Wicks, who was told that her recent childbirth did not qualify her as high-risk for the coronavirus, tweeted a photo holding her baby before debating legislation on a housing bill. — NBC News, "California lawmaker who brought newborn for Assembly vote: Mothers, you are not alone," 16 Sep. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'childbirth.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of childbirth

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about childbirth

Time Traveler for childbirth

Time Traveler

The first known use of childbirth was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Statistics for childbirth

Last Updated

20 Nov 2020

Cite this Entry

“Childbirth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/childbirth. Accessed 1 Dec. 2020.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for childbirth

childbirth

noun
How to pronounce childbirth (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of childbirth

: the act or process of giving birth to children

See the full definition for childbirth in the English Language Learners Dictionary

childbirth

noun
child·​birth | \ ˈchīld-ˌbərth How to pronounce childbirth (audio) \

Kids Definition of childbirth

: the act or process of giving birth to a child

childbirth

noun
child·​birth | \ ˈchīl(d)-ˌbərth How to pronounce childbirth (audio) \

Medical Definition of childbirth

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

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on childbirth

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for childbirth

Nglish: Translation of childbirth for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of childbirth for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about childbirth

Comments on childbirth

What made you want to look up childbirth? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

equity

Listen to the pronunciation of equity

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Musical Words Quiz

  • gramophone
  • Which word describes a musical performance marked by the absence of instrumental accompaniment?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Bee Cubed

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games