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 of newborn

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

That summer, Regina’s baby, then a newborn, had spent the end of August there in her bassinet, spared from the heat inside, where only a sliver of sun would hit the eastward wall in the early morning. —Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026

The bubble-like structures and carved cavities in the glowing hydrogen are classic signatures of stellar feedback, the process by which newborn stars reshape the cloud that made them. —Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 21 Jan. 2026

Noun

Following this move, cases of vitamin K deficiency bleeding increased among newborns in England, research found. —Dr. Jade Cobern, ABC News, 23 Jan. 2026

These drops are suitable for newborns and older babies. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026

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