Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

live-birth

noun

/ˌlaɪv ˈbɜrθ/

Definition

The process of giving birth to a fully developed offspring that is born alive, rather than hatching from an egg.

Examples

The majority of mammals are characterized by live-birth, where the young are born in a more advanced state than eggs.
In some species, live-birth is a crucial adaptation for survival in certain environments.
Human beings, like many other mammals, experience the process of live-birth during childbirth.

Meaning

Live-birth refers to a mode of reproduction in which a baby is born alive instead of emerging from an egg. This term is commonly used in contrast to oviparous organisms, such as birds and reptiles, which lay eggs.