stillborn

adjective

still·​born ˈstil-ˈbȯrn How to pronounce stillborn (audio)
1
: dead at birth
2
: failing from the start : abortive, unsuccessful
a stillborn venture
stillborn noun

Examples of stillborn 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.
One touch, and Lorraine is giving birth to a stillborn Judy. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025 The couple had three children, and another son who was stillborn. Max Foster, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025 The two claimed the baby was stillborn, according to NBC Philadelphia. Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025 TikTok user @nezbah shared in an August 7 video that her cat went into labor for 24 hours only to give birth to a stillborn kitten. Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stillborn

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stillborn was in 1593

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Cite this Entry

“Stillborn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stillborn. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

stillborn

adjective
still·​born -ˈbȯ(ə)rn How to pronounce stillborn (audio)
: dead at birth

Medical Definition

stillborn

adjective
still·​born -ˈbȯ(ə)rn How to pronounce stillborn (audio)
: dead at birth compare live-born
stillborn noun

More from Merriam-Webster on stillborn

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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