# birthing

/ˈbɝθɪŋ/ (US) · /bˈɜːθɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/birthing
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

the process of a ship being built or repaired in a dry dock. It is a technical term used in the shipping industry to describe the time when a vessel is out of the water.

For teachers: the process of constructing or repairing a vessel in a dry dock. Refers to the period during which a ship is supported on blocks and the water is drained from the dock.

## Examples

- The ship's birthing took three weeks to complete.
- During the ship's birthing, the engineers inspected the hull for any damage caused by the long voyage.
- The dry dock's structural integrity is paramount during the birthing process, as the weight of the vessel must be distributed evenly across the supporting blocks to prevent any permanent deformation.

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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.