stillborn
Americanadjective
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dead when born.
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ineffectual from the beginning; abortive; fruitless.
a stillborn plan of escape.
adjective
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(of a fetus) dead at birth
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(of an idea, plan, etc) fruitless; abortive; unsuccessful
noun
Etymology
Origin of stillborn
Vocabulary lists containing stillborn
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The remains of a stillborn baby were left on the floor of a funeral home for almost two years and his grieving parents given the wrong ashes, a court has heard.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
Jasmine Beverley, whose son Sunny was stillborn in May 2022, said Bush appeared "lovely" and presented himself as "very respectful".
From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026
But, in UK law, the death of a child that is stillborn is not subject to an inquest - something Sarah Hawkins said was "frustrating".
From BBC ● Jun. 27, 2026
But joy and anticipation turned to despair and grief after mistakes were made during Lauryn's labour and their daughter Lois was stillborn.
From BBC ● May 11, 2026
Polly, eyes full of honest fear, told him sadly, “The baby was stillborn, sir. I’m so sorry. But your wife is fine,” she added.
From "Copper Sun" by Sharon M. Draper
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
