congenital
adjective
con·gen·i·tal
kən-ˈje-nə-tᵊl 
kän-
1
a
: existing at or dating from birth
congenital deafness
… a congenital neuromuscular disease that stiffens joints and weakens muscles.—
Lara Cerri
Lara Cerri… scientists hope to also understand more common malformations that are congenital but not inherited.—Lee Siegel
Lee SiegelThe skin markings are a benign congenital developmental condition and, on palpation, feel no different to normal skin.—Elizabeth Symes
Elizabeth Symes
b
: constituting an essential characteristic : inherent
A congenital taste for Greco-Roman themes, which had once found expression in his own paintings, now took the form of a pronounced weakness for buying up statuettes and medallions depicting gods and heroes of classical times.—Anthony Powell
Anthony PowellAt each roll, the ship favored its congenital list, easing farther and farther toward that soft starboard side …—Robert Stone
Robert Stone
c
: acquired during development in the uterus and not through heredity
Antiparasitic treatment is recommended in acute or congenital infection, in children with chronic infection, and in immunosuppressed patients.—Eric M. Isselbacher et al.
Eric M. Isselbacher et al.PCBs pass through the placenta, cause congenital poisoning, and remain in human tissues for long intervals.—Scientific American Medicine Bulletin
Scientific American Medicine Bulletin2
: being such by nature
a congenital liar
The truth was that Ward was a congenital name-dropper and snob who—though he was undoubtedly treated unfairly—largely brought his troubles upon himself.—Anthony Howard
Anthony Howard
congenitally
kən-ˈje-nə-tᵊl-ē
adverb
kän-
congenitally deaf
Gwynn, who seems congenitally incapable of a frown, didn't mention the matter until I brought it up.
—Roger Angell
Roger Angell
Examples of congenital in a Sentence
The irregularity in my backbone is probably congenital.
a congenital liar who couldn't speak the truth if his life depended on it
Recent Examples on the Web
In July 2023, James collapsed at basketball practice at the University of Southern California after going into cardiac arrest caused by what was later diagnosed as a congenital heart defect, an abnormality within the heart structure.
—Johannes Sasay-Wada, CNN, 22 Oct. 2024
He was then diagnosed with a congenital heart defect.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 17 Oct. 2024
Most cases of cerebral palsy are congenital, meaning that you are born with the condition.
—Heidi Cope, Health, 13 Sep. 2024
Continuing to grow In its sixth year, the congenital heart program continues to expand and attract patients from throughout Texas, across the country and even around the world.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American-Statesman, 3 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for congenital 
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Johannes Sasay-Wada, CNN, 22 Oct. 2024
He was then diagnosed with a congenital heart defect.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 17 Oct. 2024
Most cases of cerebral palsy are congenital, meaning that you are born with the condition.
—Heidi Cope, Health, 13 Sep. 2024
Continuing to grow In its sixth year, the congenital heart program continues to expand and attract patients from throughout Texas, across the country and even around the world.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American-Statesman, 3 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for congenital
Dictionary Entries Near congenital
Cite this Entry
“Congenital.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/congenital. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
congenital
adjective
con·gen·i·tal
kən-ˈjen-ə-tᵊl
: existing at or dating from birth
congenital heart disease
Medical Definition
congenital
adjective
con·gen·i·tal
kän-ˈjen-ə-tᵊl
1
: existing at or dating from birth
congenital deafness
congenital heart disease
2
: acquired during development in the uterus and not through heredity
Our study primarily aimed to find out the birth prevalence of congenital toxoplasma infection in live neonates …—Morten Lebech et al., The Lancet
compare acquired sense 1, familial, hereditary
Morten Lebech et al., The LancetLove words? Need even more definitions?
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