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

The doctor said there was a possibility the fibroid would degenerate during the pregnancy, but Williams said by four months the fibroid had outgrown the baby, leading to a miscarriage. — Gayle King, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026

Porsha Williams has always been candid, publicly sharing everything from her miscarriage and infertility struggles to the emotional aftermath of her divorce. — As Told To Ayren Jackson-Cannady, Glamour, 18 Sep. 2026

And the agency has lost count of how many have suffered miscarriages. — Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 17 Sep. 2026

New mothers can request pair or unpaid time off to recover from miscarriages or for medical conditions such as postpartum depression. — ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026

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