newborn

1 of 2

adjective

new·​born ˈnü-ˌbȯrn How to pronounce newborn (audio)
ˈnyü-
Synonyms of newbornnext
1
: recently born
2
: born anew

newborn

2 of 2

noun

plural newborn or newborns
: a newborn individual

Synonyms of newborn

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Adjective

Noun

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Examples of newborn in a Sentence

Adjective felt like a newborn activist after that pep rally Noun a mother goat and all of her newborn intentionally bought clothes that were too big for her newborn but which undoubtedly would fit him in a few months
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.
Adjective
At the same time, the house next door to us was sold to a family with six children, ranging in age from newborn to 10 years old. — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026 The documents land as the US itself is grappling with slipping vaccination rates and unbridled measles outbreaks, which have killed two people, including a newborn, this year. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026
Noun
In a state first, a Safe Haven Baby Box is opening in Henry County, Georgia, allowing mothers in crisis to surrender their newborns anonymously and safely. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 Somewhere right now, a nurse is scoring a newborn out of ten because Virginia saw over breakfast something nobody else had bothered to address. — Stacy L. Hambleton, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for newborn

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1786, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of newborn was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing newborn

Browse Nearby Words

new blue
newborn
New Braunfels
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Cite this Entry

“Newborn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/newborn. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

newborn

1 of 2 adjective
new·​born ˈn(y)ü-ˈbȯ(ə)rn How to pronounce newborn (audio)
1
: recently born
2
: born anew

newborn

2 of 2 noun
plural newborn or newborns
: a newborn individual

Medical Definition

newborn

1 of 2 adjective
new·​born ˈn(y)ü-ˈbȯ(ə)rn How to pronounce newborn (audio)
1
: recently born
a newborn infant
2
: affecting or relating to the newborn

newborn

2 of 2 noun
new·​born -ˌbȯ(ə)rn How to pronounce newborn (audio)
plural newborn or newborns
: a newborn infant : neonate
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