stillborn

American  

[stil-bawrn] / ˈstɪlˌbɔrn /

adjective

1. dead when born. bear. born.

2. ineffectual from the beginning; abortive; fruitless.

   a stillborn plan of escape.

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stillborn British  

/ ˈstɪlˌbɔːn /

adjective

1. (of a fetus) dead at birth

2. (of an idea, plan, etc) fruitless; abortive; unsuccessful

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noun

1. a stillborn fetus or baby

Etymology

Origin of stillborn

First recorded in 1590–1600; still ¹ + born

Example Sentences

Two horses were dead when he arrived, including a foal that appeared stillborn or miscarried.

From Los Angeles Times

The opening chorus of Act 2, in which the Puritans grieve over Elvira’s madness, features a woman giving birth to a stillborn baby in full view of the community.

From The Wall Street Journal

As she was leaving the nurse gave her a box with the white rose petals inside and said she could put them on her stillborn son's grave.

From BBC

Their daughter was stillborn in January, with the pair appointing Ms Upton to oversee her funeral.

From BBC

Our first child was stillborn 10 days before her due date in March 2024.

From The Wall Street Journal