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birth

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noun

/bɜrθ/

singular	birth
plural	births

Related dictionary definitions

1
[countable/uncountable] the occasion of a baby being born
We are happy to announce the birth of our son Andrew.
John wanted to be present at the birth.
from/since birth:
James has been blind since birth.
at birth (=at the time when you are born):
children who have medical complications at birth
place of birth:
Place of birth: Reno
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of birth
1. a.
  [countable/uncountable] the process of being born or of giving birth to a baby
  It was a very difficult birth.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of birth
See also date of birth
2
[uncountable] your status or position in society according to your family or the place where you were born
Why should an accident of birth (=being born rich, poor, etc.) determine what opportunities you have?
a woman of noble birth
by birth:
She’s a French national by birth.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of birth
3
[singular] the beginning of something such as an idea, institution, or nation
birth of:
the birth of a new era in Latin American politics
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of birth

phrases

give birth (to someone)
if a woman gives birth to a baby, she produces it from inside her body
She gave birth to a baby boy.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of birth
give birth to something
to make something important start to exist
It was this event that gave birth to the peace movement.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of birth

This is the American English definition of birth. View British English definition of birth.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

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