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

Meanwhile, deaths due to congenital anomalies, or birth defects, increased 10.9%. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025

In 2017 a research team at the Autonomous University of Mexico State showed that birth defects in children born in a floriculture region, to women who worked in or near flower farms, occurred in 20 percent of births. —Maryn McKenna, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2025

View 2 Images Researchers have discovered a new type of tissue, a soft and flexible ‘fatty cartilage’ that could revolutionize the treatment of traumatic injuries, birth defects, and cartilage-damaging diseases like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. —New Atlas, 30 Jan. 2025

Currently, alcohol labels carry warnings related to birth defects and impairments when operating machinery but do not address cancer risks. —Michael D. Carroll and Amir Daftari, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025

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