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
If the truth be known, the general manager should be sued for malpractice and his license to run an organization should be revoked.
—
Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2025
Sun Sentinel Bill to end limits on who can sue for medical malpractice stalls in Florida Senate
The Florida Senate appeared on the verge Wednesday of passing a bill to repeal an exception in the state’s medical-malpractice laws.
—South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 1 May 2025
Cole is still licensed as doctor in Idaho, serves on health board
The medical malpractice suit J.B. filed in Ada County accused Cole of negligence and other harms.
—Kyle Pfannenstiel, Idaho Statesman, 18 Apr. 2025
There is no way that anyone should have thought this move would make less than $800 million at the box office, and to miss estimates by a full 50% knowing this was coming is almost industry malpractice.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malpractice
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2025
Sun Sentinel Bill to end limits on who can sue for medical malpractice stalls in Florida Senate
The Florida Senate appeared on the verge Wednesday of passing a bill to repeal an exception in the state’s medical-malpractice laws.
—South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 1 May 2025
Cole is still licensed as doctor in Idaho, serves on health board
The medical malpractice suit J.B. filed in Ada County accused Cole of negligence and other harms.
—Kyle Pfannenstiel, Idaho Statesman, 18 Apr. 2025
There is no way that anyone should have thought this move would make less than $800 million at the box office, and to miss estimates by a full 50% knowing this was coming is almost industry malpractice.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malpractice
Cite this Entry
“Malpractice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malpractice. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share