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

However, California law does place a cap on non-economic damages specifically for medical malpractice claims. —William Jones, Sacbee.com, 17 Apr. 2026

They have been joined by Alexa Morden, who runs the popular 98% Podcast that seeks to unearth instances of film, TV and theater industry malpractice, and Ben Fletcher, a theater producer and writer. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026

The filing also accused Shaknovsky of two other instances of malpractice, one of which the board alleges led to the death of another patient. —Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 14 Apr. 2026

Her cases have included car accidents, medical malpractice, and catastrophic injury cases that have changed people’s lives. —Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1671, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for malpractice

• actus
• cactus
• practice
• practise
• tractus

Kids 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