midwifery

noun

mid·​wife·​ry ˌmid-ˈwi-f(ə-)rē  -ˈwī- 

ˈmid-ˌwī-

1

: the art or act of assisting at childbirth

also : obstetrics

2

: the art, act, or process of producing, bringing forth, or bringing about

Examples of midwifery in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The earliest historians of midwifery argued that this was a progressive story of the triumph of expertise and science and reason over the superstitions and backward practices of untrained female midwives. — Literary Hub, 16 June 2026

What does your mother say about your career in midwifery? — Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 5 May 2026

The hospital's nurse and midwifery coordinator, Jourdin Ross, said that extensive preparation and contingency planning were necessary for this birth. — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 4 May 2026

The lawsuit is one of several filed in recent years to challenge state restrictions on the practice of midwifery. — Aria Bendix, NBC news, 2 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for midwifery

• housewifery

Kids Definition

midwifery

noun

mid·​wife·​ry ˌmid-ˈwif-(ə-)rē  -ˈwīf- 

ˈmid-ˌwīf-

: the art or act of assisting at childbirth

also : obstetrics

Medical Definition

midwifery

noun

mid·​wife·​ry ˌmid-ˈwif-(ə-)rē  -ˈwīf-; ˈmid-ˌwīf- 

plural midwiferies

: the art or act of assisting at childbirth

also : obstetrics see nurse-midwifery