birth defect

noun

: a physical or biochemical defect that is present at birth and may be inherited or environmentally induced

Examples of birth defect in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Tyler was born brain dead, and Paige had a critical heart birth defect. —Dana Hunsinger Benbow, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Oct. 2024

There have been some reports of birth defects in babies born to people who took albuterol during pregnancy. —Rosanna Sutherby, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 4 Oct. 2024

But other deaths, such as those caused by disease or birth defects, rose 8%. —Byerik Stokstad, science.org, 5 Sep. 2024

The Journal of Pediatric Genetics retracted a study on Islamic beliefs concerning the possible supernatural causes of birth defects on the grounds that the research lacked a scientific basis. —Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 22 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1864, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

birth defect

noun

: a serious defect (as in physical or mental function) that is present at birth and is inherited or caused by something that happens or exists in the environment

Medical Definition

birth defect

noun

: a physical or biochemical defect (as cleft palate, phenylketonuria, or Down syndrome) that is present at birth and may be inherited or environmentally induced