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

In 2023, the year Alice lost her daughter, OUH had the highest stillbirth rate compared to 25 specialist trusts that care for the sickest babies.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

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 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

They were certain it would be another stillbirth and they reasoned that the less said about it, the less Sissy would have to remember afterward.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith