noun

afterbirth

AF-ter-berth

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Afterbirth (noun) means the placenta and other tissue that comes away from the womb after an animal or person gives birth. Example: “The vet checked that the mare had passed the afterbirth safely.”

noun

The placenta and other tissue that comes away from the womb after an animal or person gives birth.

"The vet checked that the mare had passed the afterbirth safely."

"A midwife examines the afterbirth after delivery to make sure none of it remains inside."

"Some animals eat the afterbirth soon after giving birth."

How to use afterbirth

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishIt is what comes away from the womb just after a birth, mainly the placenta.

When to use it

It is a plain, clinical-sounding word used in both everyday and medical or veterinary contexts.

Memory tip

Remember it names what follows the birth, not the birth itself.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

pass the afterbirth deliver the afterbirth expel the afterbirth eat the afterbirth

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “afterbirth” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The vet checked that the mare had passed the _____ safely.

Etymology

Afterbirth is built from after- and birth, joined to describe what comes away from the body once a birth is complete. Similar compound words exist in Danish and Swedish, which points to a shared pattern across the Germanic languages rather than direct borrowing.

Origin: English

Frequently asked questions

What is the afterbirth?

It is the placenta and related tissue that leaves the womb after a baby or animal is born.

Is the afterbirth the same as the placenta?

The afterbirth includes the placenta along with the membranes and other material expelled with it, so the two terms overlap closely.

Do all mammals produce an afterbirth?

Most mammals do, since most carry young in a womb and expel the placenta after birth.

What is the meaning of afterbirth?

"afterbirth" (noun) means the placenta and other tissue that comes away from the womb after an animal or person gives birth.