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
Another cousin, himself the father of a newborn, stopped and taken right in front of her mother’s house as Martinez watched. — Francesca D’annunzio, ProPublica, 25 Oct. 2026 The virus may also cause congenital abnormalities in newborn calves. — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
Noun
Lauren Wilson, a pediatrician at Community Medical Center, said the hospital maintains an intensive care unit for newborns and will still have inpatient pediatric services, emergency treatment, surgeons, therapists, and some subspecialists. — CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026 Enroll your baby before the clock runs out Ensuring your newborn has health coverage is one of the first paperwork responsibilities that parents face in the whirlwind of bringing a baby home. — Stephanie O'Neill, NPR, 21 Oct. 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 30 Oct. 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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