birth pangs: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-Frequency/Literary/FigurativeFormal, Figurative, Journalistic, Academic
Quick answer
What does “birth pangs” mean?
The pains experienced by a mother during childbirth.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The pains experienced by a mother during childbirth.
Intense, often difficult beginnings or transition periods preceding something new, especially in socio-political, economic, or organisational contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: British English uses 'pangs', American English also uses 'pangs'; both use the same compound.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties; carries a strong metaphorical weight.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British journalistic and political discourse, but common in both.
Grammar
How to Use “birth pangs” in a Sentence
the birth pangs of [NOUN PHRASE: e.g., democracy, a new era]to go through birth pangsto suffer birth pangsVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Describing the disruptive initial phase of a major merger or organisational restructuring.
Academic
Used in history, political science, and sociology to describe societal transitions.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; occasional in news commentary.
Technical
Obstetrics (literal). Metaphorical use is non-technical.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “birth pangs”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “birth pangs”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “birth pangs”
- Using 'birth pains' (less idiomatic).
- Using it for minor, trivial difficulties.
- Applying it to endings rather than beginnings.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Figuratively. The literal medical term is typically 'labour pains.'
Yes, the phrase inherently suggests a painful but necessary process leading to something new and often positive.
'Birth pangs' refer to the initial, often violent struggles of creation. 'Growing pains' refer to difficulties encountered during later expansion or development.
Yes, it belongs to formal, journalistic, or academic register, not casual conversation.
The pains experienced by a mother during childbirth.
Birth pangs: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɜːθ ˌpæŋz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɝːθ ˌpæŋz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “in the birth pangs of something”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a country being born just like a baby—the initial violent protests and instability are its 'birth pangs.'
Conceptual Metaphor
A SOCIETAL/ORGANISATIONAL CHANGE IS A CHILDBIRTH.
Practice
Quiz
Which context is LEAST appropriate for 'birth pangs'?