newborn

American  

[noo-bawrn, nyoo-] / ˈnuˈbɔrn, ˈnju- /

adjective

1. recently or only just born.

2. born anew; reborn.

   a newborn faith in human goodness.

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noun

• newborn,
  plural
• newborns
  plural

1. a newborn infant; neonate.

newborn British  

/ ˈnjuːˌbɔːn /

adjective

1. 1. recently or just born

   2. ( as collective noun; preceded by the )

      the newborn

2. (of hope, faith, etc) reborn

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• newborn
  plural
• newborns
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of newborn

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; see origin at new, born

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Explanation

A newborn is literally a baby animal (including us human animals) who was born in the past month. Figuratively, newborn describes anything recently born or created, like a newborn interest in vocabulary. Little babies are newborns until they're a month old — four weeks is the official human newborn cut-off age. Then they’re just regular ol’ babies. Other things can be newborn as long as they’re brand new — a newborn restaurant was opened recently, a newborn celebrity might be 18 but she just got famous. You could have a newborn fear if you recently became scared of something. Most newborns are not scary, though. (Unless you’re babysitting one.)

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

newborn newborns

While Elliot was still recovering in a maternity ward the next day, Zhang demanded she buy a car seat and drive Zhang and her newborn son to the airport, according to the suit.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026

Years ago my wife and I lost a newborn baby to a bacterial infection.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

Planets can then grow from material left over around the newborn star, gradually gathering matter and shaping paths through the surrounding disk.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 17, 2026

Hivsa Walid, her newborn niece and sister-in-law were in the ward next door.

From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026

The sources agree that Mary and Joseph fled the wrath of King Herod, since Herod had heard a prophecy about a newborn Messiah.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife

The $1,000 in free money is a big lure for families of newborns.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 1, 2026

In Riverside County, newborns can be surrendered at most hospitals and fire stations.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 26, 2026

Approximately 2.3 to 2.5 million newborns worldwide are affected by congenital heart disease each year.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 15, 2026

Since then, she’s had at least 10 patients—mostly younger children, newborns and infants—with measles.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026

“Oh, yes, sir. She’s just fine—and the baby, too—crying and nursing and being sweet like newborns always are, sir.”

From "Copper Sun" by Sharon M. Draper

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