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

Example Sentences

a surgeon accused of malpractice

Doctors need to have malpractice insurance to protect themselves against lawsuits.

Recent Examples on the Web

Under the legislation, immunity would apply to most liability claims, including wrongful death, negligence, malpractice, battery and infliction of emotional distress. —Kristine Phillips, The Indianapolis Star, 25 Apr. 2023

The cancellation marks the latest development since Hindenburg last week published a report containing wide-ranging allegations of fraud and malpractice at Mr. Adani's companies. —Quentin Webb, WSJ, 1 Feb. 2023

An internal Washington University review found no malpractice. —CBS News, 10 May 2023

Physicians could not hold malpractice insurance against such lawsuits. —Amy Beth Hanson, Anchorage Daily News, 29 Apr. 2023

This month, the couple received a $15 million settlement from the hospital, among the largest medical malpractice settlements ever reported in Massachusetts, according to the Kekulas’ attorney, Robert Higgins. —Jessica Bartlett, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Apr. 2023

Cornyn, a Texas Republican who sits on the committee, later suggested that a medical malpractice lawsuit against her doctors is the legal route Zurawski should consider. —Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 26 Apr. 2023

The family of a 26-year-old Dacula, Georgia man who died from a bleeding intestinal ulcer in the Gwinnett County Jail two years ago is suing the lockup’s health care contractor for medical malpractice. —Jeremy Redmon The Atlanta Journal-constitution (tns), al, 18 Apr. 2023

And the software models’ tendency to make up things confidently is alarming — and an invitation to malpractice suits — in a profession that hinges on finding and weighing facts. —Steve Lohr, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1671, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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