birth defect

NOUN

congenital abnormality

Synonyms

WEAK

abnormality congenital anomaly congenital defect congenital malformation deformity disability mutation

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.

Mr. Rodríguez Castro, known as “El Cangrejo”—the crab—because of a birth defect, never finished school.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 22, 2026

He was diagnosed with short bowel syndrome, an incurable disease caused by a birth defect, and Ms Ogg was told he would not survive the night.

From BBC • Dec. 7, 2025

Sindle, less than 5 feet tall with curly blond hair, was born with a birth defect, toes that were partly fused together, giving her feet a webbed appearance.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 18, 2024

During one session, the parents of a daughter with schizencephaly quadriplegia, a rare birth defect, witnessed her successfully feed herself using the system.

From Science Daily • May 9, 2024

I’m always going to be the sister of a kid with a birth defect: that’s not the issue.

From "Wonder" by R. J. Palacio