English Reference
noun

birthplace

n.
US /ˈbɝθˌpɫeɪs/ UK /bˈɜːθpleɪs/ birth·place UK spelling birthplaces

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    the town, city, or country where you were born.

    the specific geographical location where a person or animal was born.

    Simple

    The famous writer's birthplace was a small cottage in the countryside.

    In context

    Although he spent his entire adult life in London, he often returned to his birthplace in rural Wales for inspiration.

    Usage

    Usually a countable noun; often used in official documents or biographies.

    hometownplace of birth
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    the place where something important, like a new idea or a type of music, first began.

    the place where something was created, devised, or first emerged as a significant entity.

    Simple

    New Orleans is known as the birthplace of jazz music.

    In context

    Historians often debate whether this ancient city was truly the birthplace of democracy or merely where it was first recorded.

    Usage

    Frequently used metaphorically with 'of' followed by a movement, invention, or concept.


From birth + place.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated