malpractice
noun
mal·prac·tice
ˌmal-ˈprak-təs 
1
: a dereliction of professional duty or a failure to exercise an ordinary degree of professional skill or learning by one (such as a physician) rendering professional services which results in injury, loss, or damage
2
: an injurious, negligent, or improper practice : malfeasance
Examples of malpractice in a Sentence
a surgeon accused of malpractice
Doctors need to have malpractice insurance to protect themselves against lawsuits.
Recent Examples on the Web
While McKee was working as a vascular surgeon in Las Vegas, one of his patients filed a medical malpractice lawsuit in 2024.
—
Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
Court filings reviewed by Fox News Digital show that McKee was facing several allegations of medical malpractice and negligence in the months prior to being charged in the deaths of the Ohio couple.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 18 Jan. 2026
In May 2025, Chaudhry and Iowa Methodist Medical Center were the focus of a third lawsuit alleging medical malpractice.
—Clark Kauffman, Des Moines Register, 17 Jan. 2026
An accomplished trial attorney, Weissman was best known for his work as a medical malpractice lawyer and his tenure as president of the Miami-Dade County Bar Association.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for malpractice
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Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
Court filings reviewed by Fox News Digital show that McKee was facing several allegations of medical malpractice and negligence in the months prior to being charged in the deaths of the Ohio couple.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 18 Jan. 2026
In May 2025, Chaudhry and Iowa Methodist Medical Center were the focus of a third lawsuit alleging medical malpractice.
—Clark Kauffman, Des Moines Register, 17 Jan. 2026
An accomplished trial attorney, Weissman was best known for his work as a medical malpractice lawyer and his tenure as president of the Miami-Dade County Bar Association.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for malpractice
Cite this Entry
“Malpractice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malpractice. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
malpractice
noun
mal·prac·tice
(ˈ)mal-ˈprak-təs
: violation of professional standards especially by carelessness or improper conduct
Medical Definition
malpractice
1 of 2 noun
mal·prac·tice
(ˈ)mal-ˈprak-təs
: a dereliction of professional duty or a failure to exercise an accepted degree of professional skill or learning by a physician rendering professional services which results in injury, loss, or damage
malpractice
2 of 2 intransitive verb
malpracticed; malpracticing
: to engage in or commit malpractice
Legal Definition
malpractice
noun
mal·prac·tice
ˌmal-ˈprak-təs
: negligence, misconduct, lack of ordinary skill, or a breach of duty in the performance of a professional service (as in medicine) resulting in injury or loss
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