stillbirth

noun

still·​birth ˈstil-ˌbərth How to pronounce stillbirth (audio)
-ˈbərth
: the birth of a dead fetus

Examples of stillbirth 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.
The New Mexico Department of Health noted that even if a mother is only mildly ill from an infection, Listeria can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, or a deadly infection in newborn babies. Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026 Listeria can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth or fatal infections in newborns, even if the mother was only mildly ill. Kerry Breen, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026 Bosarge also often sends blankets or other options for parents who have had miscarriages or stillbirths. Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026 Acetaminophen is a critical tool for physicians, the go-to drug to use during pregnancy because other commonly available painkillers, such as Advil (ibuprofen), and opioid medications can put a fetus at risk of kidney damage, preterm birth, or even stillbirth. O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 16 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stillbirth

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stillbirth was in 1880

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Cite this Entry

“Stillbirth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stillbirth. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

stillbirth

noun
still·​birth ˈstil-ˌbərth How to pronounce stillbirth (audio)
-ˈbərth
: the birth of a dead baby

Medical Definition

stillbirth

noun
: the birth of a dead fetus compare live birth

More from Merriam-Webster on stillbirth

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