stillborn

adjective

still·​born ˈstil-ˈbȯrn 

1

: dead at birth

2

: failing from the start : abortive, unsuccessful

a stillborn venture

stillborn

ˈstil-ˌbȯrn 

noun

Examples of stillborn in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Unfortunately, Sara went into premature labor, and her twin boys were stillborn. — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026

Some voiced viral theories, like a common social media story stating that a Texas farmer’s calves were stillborn after the development of a nearby data center. — Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2026

Two puppies were stillborn, but the team was able to successfully deliver and save the smallest puppy, the runt of the litter. — Caroline Foreback, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

Despite these findings, Trevizo has maintained that the baby was stillborn. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for stillborn

• adorn
• airborne
• blackthorn
• broomcorn
• buckhorn
• buckthorn
• careworn
• firstborn
• foodborne
• forborne
• forewarn
• forlorn

Kids Definition

stillborn

adjective

still·​born -ˈbȯ(ə)rn 

: dead at birth

Medical Definition

stillborn

adjective

still·​born -ˈbȯ(ə)rn 

: dead at birth compare live-born

stillborn

-ˌbȯ(ə)rn 

noun