miscarriage

noun

mis·​car·​riage ˌmis-ˈker-ij 

-ˈka-rij,

ˈmis-ˌker-ij,

-ˌka-rij

1

: corrupt or incompetent management

especially : a failure in the administration of justice

2

: spontaneous expulsion of a human fetus before it is viable and especially between the 12th and 28th weeks of gestation

Examples of miscarriage in a Sentence

a woman who has suffered multiple miscarriages

a high risk of miscarriage

Recent Examples on the Web

Collins suffered a miscarriage halfway through the first season and was absent from the final episodes. —Lynette Rice, Deadline, 15 July 2025

During pregnancy, invasive listeriosis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn. —Monroe Hammond, EverydayHealth.com, 8 July 2025

Blood loss is expected during early miscarriage, which usually ends without complication. —Kavitha Surana, CNN Money, 2 July 2025

Almost 20 years after journeying from Detroit to LA on a Greyhound, in the aftermath of a miscarriage, Pocock recreates her trip and is joined (in spirit) by fellow writerly road trippers like Simone de Beauvoir, Ethel Mannin, and Irma Kurtz. —Literary Hub july 1, Literary Hub, 1 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1640, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing miscarriage

• miscarriage of justice

Rhymes for miscarriage

• disparage
• remarriage
• intermarriage
• marriage

Kids Definition

miscarriage

noun

mis·​car·​riage mis-ˈkar-ij 

1

: bad management

especially : a failure in the administration of justice

2

: the accidental separation of an unborn child from the body of its mother before it is capable of living independently : loss of an unborn child through premature birth

Medical Definition

miscarriage

noun

mis·​car·​riage mis-ˈkar-ij 

: spontaneous expulsion of a human fetus before it is viable and especially between the 12th and 28th weeks of gestation compare abortion sense 1a