foreign-born

adjective

for·​eign-born ˌfȯr-ən-ˈbȯrn How to pronounce foreign-born (audio)
ˌfär-
Synonyms of foreign-bornnext
: foreign by birth

Examples of foreign-born in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Twenty-seven per cent of my state is foreign-born. Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026 That’s a smaller share than the statewide average — 28% of Californians overall are foreign-born. Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026 Of that total, about 12% of residents are foreign-born. Charlotte Observer, 29 Jan. 2026 About 70% of respondents are US-born; one in four are foreign-born. Claire Wang, Oc Register, 23 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for foreign-born

Word History

First Known Use

1692, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of foreign-born was in 1692

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Cite this Entry

“Foreign-born.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foreign-born. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.

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