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To begin your search, go to the alphabetical index below and click on the first letter of the word you are searching for.

born, borne

Born is the past participle of the verb bear, meaning “to give birth.”

  • The baby was born at 1:21 a.m.

Borne is the past participle of the verb bear in all senses not related to birth. In most contexts, it has the meaning “carried.”

  • Indigenous societies had a spiritual connection with the land that was borne out in their creation stories and traditions.
  • Food-borne infections caused by resistant bacteria pose a risk to humans.
  • The small boat was borne along by the current.

When used with the helping verb have, borne can also mean “produced” or “brought about.”

  • Our efforts have borne fruit.