Definition of congenital
1a : existing at or dating from birth congenital deafnessb : constituting an essential characteristic : inherent congenital fear of snakesc : acquired during development in the uterus and not through heredity congenital syphilis
2 : being such by nature a congenital liar
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Examples of congenital in a Sentence
The irregularity in my backbone is probably congenital.
a congenital liar who couldn't speak the truth if his life depended on it
Recent Examples of congenital from the Web
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A Baylor College of Medicine review found that children's chances of having any of 86 congenital problems are 1 in 50 on average but rise to 1 in 42 when their dads are 40 or over.
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Today, King is one of more than 1,000 adults being treated at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center for congenital heart disease.
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Nearly 40% involved HIV/AIDS, followed by, in descending order: developmental biology; eye development and disease; other infectious diseases like hepatitis C; miscellaneous; and in utero diseases, toxic exposures, and congenital conditions.
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Christy Judd's 8-year-old son, Ethan, has a congenital neuromuscular disease and needs a ventilator to breathe at night.
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Of course, politicians being congenital whiners, the CBO takes its share of abuse.
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Christy Judd’s 8-year-old son, Ethan, has a congenital neuromuscular disease and needs a ventilator to breathe at night.
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Fruit flies have been used to model congenital heart disease in humans, as well as cardiomyopathy and arrhythmia, among other afflictions.
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He was born with nine congenital heart defects, two left lungs, and five spleens.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'congenital.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of congenital
Latin congenitus, from com- + genitus, past participle of gignere to bring forth — more at kin
Synonym Discussion of congenital
Other Genetics Terms
CONGENITAL Defined for English Language Learners
congenital
playDefinition of congenital for English Language Learners
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: existing since birth
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: naturally having a specified character
Medical Dictionary
congenital
playMedical Definition of congenital
1: existing at or dating from birth congenital deafness
2: acquired during development in the uterus and not through heredity congenital syphilis—compare acquired 1, familial, hereditary
Learn More about congenital
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for congenital Spanish Central: Translation of congenital Nglish: Translation of congenital for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of congenital for Arabic speakers
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