stillbirth

American  

[stil-burth] / ˈstɪlˌbɜrθ /

noun

1. the birth of a dead child or organism.

2. a fetus dead at birth.

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stillbirth British  

/ ˈstɪlˌbɜːθ /

noun

1. birth of a dead fetus or baby

2. a stillborn fetus or baby

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stillbirth Cultural  

1. The birth of a fetus that has died; particularly, birth of a fetus that has died in the uterus at a stage in development when an infant could survive on its own if born healthy.

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Etymology

Origin of stillbirth

First recorded in 1745–55; still ¹ + birth

Example Sentences

She’s twice turned to nonfiction, first for a 2008 memoir of stillbirth and parenthood, now for “A Long Game: Notes on Writing Fiction.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026

A couple who founded a charity to support parents who have lost babies through stillbirth, miscarriage or neonatal death have been recognised in the New Year Honours list.

From BBC • Dec. 29, 2025

A couple whose son was stillborn have criticised health bosses for taking a year and a half to release a report about stillbirth rates in the Black Country.

From BBC • Sep. 29, 2025

Ms. Akers said she had a stillbirth, and she didn’t know what to do.

From Slate • Aug. 22, 2025

She didn't tell her husband about the stillbirth, which aroused suspicion.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson