birth rate

noun

variants or birthrate
ˈbərth-ˌrāt How to pronounce birth rate (audio)
: the ratio between births and individuals in a specified population and time

Examples of birth rate 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.
The Israeli public is about 14% Haredi, but the community is growing quickly because of its high birth rate. — Hannah Ridge, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2026 The country’s declining birth rate has raised concerns among some conservative politicians who fear the effects a shrinking population could have on the economy and national security. — David Hickey, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2026 Lee is also developing his next idea, which takes on present-day Singapore concerns, among them a low birth rate and a shortage of land, and adds a supernatural element. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026 Another major challenge is intensifying domestic competition and labor shortages as Japan’s birth rate declines and its population ages, Nagai said. — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for birth rate

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of birth rate was in 1856

Rhymes for birth rate

See All Rhymes for birth rate

Browse Nearby Words

birthrank
birth rate
birthright
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Cite this Entry

“Birth rate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/birth%20rate. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

birthrate

noun
birth·​rate -ˌrāt How to pronounce birthrate (audio)
: the number of births for every hundred or every thousand persons in a given area or group during a given time

Medical Definition

birth rate

noun
variants or birthrate
ˈbər-ˌthrāt How to pronounce birth rate (audio)
: the ratio between births and individuals in a specified population and time often expressed as number of live births per hundred or per thousand population per year

called also natality

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