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

Number one: The biggest misconception about midwifery care is that a midwife and a doula is the same thing. —Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 17 Apr. 2025

The cozy Elkins house holds the Arkansas Midwives School and Services, a nonprofit organization and the state's first midwifery school. —The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 6 Feb. 2025

Research also suggests that midwifery care can reduce maternal deaths, stillbirths, and neonatal deaths. —Chantelle Lee, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025

Other honorees include designer Rachel Scott, midwifery advocate Elaine Welteroth and Sen. Raphael Warnock. —Oumou Fofana, Essence, 7 Feb. 2025

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