# unborn

/ˈənˈbɔɹn/ (US) · /ʌnbˈɔːn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/unborn
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. in the womb

adjective · CEFR B2

describes a baby that is still developing inside its mother and has not been born yet.

For teachers: referring to a fetus or embryo that has not yet been delivered from the womb.

- The doctor checked the health of the unborn baby during the ultrasound.
- Modern prenatal care allows physicians to monitor the development of the unborn child with remarkable precision throughout each trimester.

### 2. future generations

adjective · CEFR B2 · Literary

describes people who will be born in the future.

For teachers: referring to future generations or people yet to exist.

- We must protect the environment for the sake of unborn generations.
- The philosopher argued that our current environmental policies constitute a moral debt to the millions of unborn souls who will inherit this planet.

### 3. the unborn

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a way to talk about all babies that are still in the womb as a group.

For teachers: a collective noun referring to fetuses or embryos in the womb, often used in legal or ethical debates.

- The new law was designed to protect the rights of the unborn.
- The legal brief focused extensively on the state's interest in protecting the unborn, sparking a significant debate among the high court justices.

Usage: Usually functions as a collective noun preceded by 'the'.

## Examples

- The parents are preparing a room for their unborn child.
- Doctors use ultrasound technology to monitor the health and development of the unborn baby throughout the pregnancy.
- The legislation aims to balance the rights of the mother with protections for the unborn, a topic that remains central to legal and ethical debates worldwide.

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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.