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.
Infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 Separately, the experts identified numerous preventable losses of babies who died during birth or in utero very close to their due dates, cases that coroners labeled as stillbirths. — Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026 Getty Images Extreme heat and air pollution are raising the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth. — Catarina Rolfsdotter-Jansson, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 An infection can also cause miscarriage and stillbirth in pregnant women. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 17 Aug. 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 5 Sep. 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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