# birth

/ˈbɝθ/ (US) · /bˈɜːθ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/birth
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. the start of life

noun · CEFR A2

the moment when a baby comes out of its mother and starts its life.

For teachers: the emergence of a young human or animal from the body of its mother. Often uncountable when referring to the process.

- The mother and baby were both doing well after the birth.
- The hospital staff provided exceptional support throughout the birth, ensuring that the mother felt safe and informed at every stage.

### 2. origin or beginning

noun · CEFR B2

the start or beginning of something new, like an idea or a movement.

For teachers: the origin or beginning of something abstract. Often used with 'of'.

- Many people consider this event the birth of modern democracy.
- Historians often debate the exact moment that marked the birth of the industrial revolution in Europe.

### 3. family background

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the family or social group you are born into.

For teachers: lineage, ancestry, or inherited social status.

- He was a man of noble birth who lived in a large castle.
- Despite her humble birth, she rose through the ranks of the civil service to become a highly influential advisor.

### 4. to have a baby

verb · CEFR B2

to give birth to a baby.

For teachers: to bring forth offspring. Transitive use is common in medical or informal contexts.

- The sheep birthed two healthy lambs in the middle of the night.
- The documentary followed several women as they prepared to birth their children at home without medical intervention.

### 5. related by birth

adjective · CEFR B1

describing a family relationship you have from the moment you are born.

For teachers: denoting a familial relationship established by biological origin rather than adoption or marriage.

- He decided to search for his birth parents when he turned eighteen.
- The law protects the privacy of birth certificates while allowing adopted individuals to seek information about their biological heritage.

## Examples

- She gave birth to a healthy baby boy yesterday.
- The hospital records the exact time and date of every birth in the city.
- Historians often point to the signing of the treaty as the birth of the modern nation-state, marking a shift away from feudal loyalty.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.