newborn

1 of 2

adjective

new·​born ˈnü-ˌbȯrn 

ˈnyü-

1

: recently born

2

: born anew

newborn

2 of 2

noun

plural newborn or newborns

: a newborn individual

Synonyms

Adjective

• refreshed
• new
• revived
• reborn
• resuscitated
• rested
• renewed
• regenerated
• energized
• reanimated

Noun

• child
• baby
• infant
• toddler

Examples of newborn in a Sentence

Adjective

felt like a newborn activist after that pep rally

Noun

a mother goat and all of her newborn

intentionally bought clothes that were too big for her newborn but which undoubtedly would fit him in a few months

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Reporting directly from Gaza, Gaza’s Twins, Come Back to Me by Mohammed Sawwaf follows a mother desperate to reach her two newborn babies in urgent care, evacuated amid bombings and prevented from seeing them by travel restrictions and checkpoints. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025

States handle newborn screenings differently, so each would have to come up with its own solutions. —Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2025

Noun

Cutlery, rattles and cups are among the most popular choices as keepsake gifts for newborns. —Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025

Infections are more likely to harm pregnant women, newborns, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. —Melina Khan, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1786, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing newborn

• hemolytic disease of the newborn

Kids Definition

newborn

1 of 2 adjective

new·​born ˈn(y)ü-ˈbȯ(ə)rn 

1

: recently born

2

: born anew

newborn

2 of 2 noun

plural newborn or newborns

: a newborn individual

Medical Definition

newborn

1 of 2 adjective

new·​born ˈn(y)ü-ˈbȯ(ə)rn 

1

: recently born

a newborn infant

2

: affecting or relating to the newborn

newborn

2 of 2 noun

new·​born -ˌbȯ(ə)rn 

plural newborn or newborns

: a newborn infant : neonate