stillbirth

noun

still·​birth ˈstil-ˌbərth How to pronounce stillbirth (audio)
-ˈbərth
: the birth of a dead fetus

Examples of stillbirth 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.
In many instances, women had miscarriages or stillbirths or gave birth in dirty cells. — Jon Schuppe, NBC news, 7 May 2026 The family is depicted as brown, in keeping with the fact that women of color have higher rates of stillbirth and miscarriage. — Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 17 May 2026 Congenital syphilis can result in a range of negative outcomes, the most serious of which is miscarriage or stillbirth. — Casey Pinto, The Conversation, 1 May 2026 And congenital syphilis — when the disease is passed from mother to baby — has a high likelihood of miscarriage, stillbirth, or death shortly after birth. — Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for stillbirth

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stillbirth was in 1880

Rhymes for stillbirth

See All Rhymes for stillbirth

Browse Nearby Words

Stillbay
stillbirth
stillborn
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stillbirth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stillbirth. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

stillbirth

noun
still·​birth ˈstil-ˌbərth How to pronounce stillbirth (audio)
-ˈbərth
: the birth of a dead baby

Medical Definition

stillbirth

noun
still·​birth ˈstil-ˌbərth, -ˈbərth How to pronounce stillbirth (audio)
: the birth of a dead fetus compare live birth

More from Merriam-Webster on stillbirth

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stillbirth

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