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

Their findings suggest that the whales offered the calf’s mother a level of assistance that puts midwifery to shame. — Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 26 Mar. 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

Gonzalez cannot practice midwifery unless the emergency order is lifted following a hearing or overturned by a court. — Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026

Grounded in touch, care and deep cultural knowing, midwifery is not only about guiding mothers and babies safely into the world but also reclaiming cultural traditions. — Deanna Taylor, USA Today, 7 Oct. 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