bairn

noun

ˈbern How to pronounce bairn (audio)
Definition of bairnnext
chiefly Scottish
as in child
a young person who is between infancy and adulthood at the Scottish festival there were traditional contests of strength and endurance, Celtic fiddlers, and groups of bairns performing Highland flings

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of bairn The Wallace also has a children’s menu and wee bathrobes for the bairns in the marble guest bathrooms. — Nicole Trilivas, Travel + Leisure, 16 July 2024 Later, Marsali once again fails to read the room and talks to Ian about all of her bairns and the joys of a big family. — Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 13 Apr. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bairn
  1. child
  2. kid
  3. cub
Noun
  • Its spacious third row remains a particularly compelling advantage for families who regularly transport several adults or older children.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026
  • People with chronic health conditions, pregnant women, young children and anyone 65 or older are at higher risk of developing complications from the flu, and Turner urged anyone fitting those categories to take extra precautions this season.
    — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of child
Noun
  • Soon after, the military ordered Lenio’s husband to return to the US, paving the way for Lenio and her kids to return as well, before a German court could take up the family’s case.
    — Brianna Keilar, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Difficult at times, balancing family and career and locations and dragging my kids here and there.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of kid
Noun
  • The Smithsonian National Zoo welcomed five cheetah cubs this month.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The living cub tried valiantly to bring his brother back to life.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of cub

Browse Nearby Words

bails out
bairn
bairns
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Cite this Entry

“Bairn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bairn. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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