Dictionary Home » Phrase Meanings » give birth to

What does "give birth to" mean?

  1. Bear a child, as in She gave birth to her first child exactly at midnight. [Early 1800s]
  2. Also, give rise to. Be the cause or origin of. For example, His hobby gave birth to a very successful business, or The economic situation gave rise to widespread dissatisfaction. The first term dates from the early 1700s, the second from the late 1700s.
link/cite print suggestion box