birth

/bɜːrθ/
nounBeginner
formal

The process of being born; the emergence of a baby from the womb.

The birth of her child was a joyous moment.

Her baby's birth was a moment of great happiness.

💡

Often used in formal or medical contexts.

formal

The origin or beginning of something.

The birth of democracy in ancient Greece.

The emergence of democracy in ancient Greece.

💡

Used metaphorically to describe the start of an idea, movement, or institution.

Collocations

give birthto deliver a babybirth certificatean official document recording a birthbirth ratethe number of births per population

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

birth controlphrase
methods to prevent pregnancy
birthrightphrase
a right or privilege inherited by birth

💡Pro Tip

Formal vs. Informal Usage

Use 'birth' in formal contexts, such as medical or legal documents. In informal speech, 'delivery' or 'having a baby' may be more common.

Gold Rule

Avoid Confusion

Do not confuse 'birth' with 'berth,' which refers to a docking place for ships.

📖Word Origin

From Middle English 'birthe,' from Old English 'byrð,' meaning 'that which is born,' from Proto-Germanic 'burþiz.'

📝Usage Notes

Can refer to both the act of giving birth and the event itself. Often used in medical, legal, and historical contexts.

Word Breakdown

birth
the act or event of being born
root
English Dictionary