miscarriage

noun mis·car·riage \ ˌmis-ˈker-ij , -ˈka-rij , ˈmis-ˌ \

Definition of miscarriage

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

See miscarriage defined for English-language learners

See miscarriage defined for kids

Examples of miscarriage in a Sentence

a woman who has suffered multiple miscarriages
a high risk of miscarriage

Recent Examples of miscarriage from the Web

She's spoken out about having endometriosis, opened up about having a miscarriage, and even bared her nipples to make a statement about race — all in the name of being honest.

— brittney mcnamara, Teen Vogue, "Halsey Clapped Back at Breast Shaming Commenter," 23 Aug. 2017
Jonathan Mathew, who worked at Barclays Plc, referred his conviction to the Criminal Cases Review Commission -- an organization set up to investigate suspected miscarriages of justice -- in recent weeks, his lawyer said.

— suzi ring, Bloomberg.com, "Jailed Barclays Libor Trader Asks for Case to Be Reviewed," 14 Aug. 2017
Talento’s ideas about birth control affecting fertility and causing miscarriages also don’t hold up, says Dr. MacIsaac.

— amanda macmillan, Health.com, "No, Birth Control Doesn't Cause Cancer. (In Fact, It Protects Against It)," 13 July 2017
But 10 weeks into the pregnancy, their dream was cut short when Metten suffered a miscarriage.

— valeria merino, The Courier-Journal, "New U of L app can help identify postpartum depression," 13 July 2017
Our Carriage Infant Loss, for those who have suffered an infant loss or miscarriage, 7 p.m. July 20 at Christ Lutheran Church, 2610 N. Campbell St., Valparaiso.

— Post-Tribune, "Community news," 10 July 2017
Exposure to lead can have long term effects and cause miscarriage, developmental delays in infants and other medical issues.

— monique judge, The Root, "#Flint: US Health and Human Services Sends $15,000,000 in Aid to Help Families Impacted By Lead-Contamination," 7 July 2017
The five men’s wrongful conviction is now seen as a gross miscarriage of justice—and soon, Ava DuVernay will tell their story.

— laura bradley, HWD, "Is Ava DuVernay’s New Project Donald Trump’s Worst Nightmare?," 6 July 2017
There’s nothing glamorous about having a miscarriage, or being in a custody battle with the father of your child, or the struggle to make money.

— alex rees, Cosmopolitan, "The True Story Behind Your Sometimes Problematic, Often Messy, Always Perfect Fave Reality Show Teen Mom," 29 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'miscarriage.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of miscarriage

1640

MISCARRIAGE Defined for English Language Learners

miscarriage

noun

Definition of miscarriage for English Language Learners

medical : a condition in which a pregnancy ends too early and does not result in the birth of a live baby
law : an unjust legal decision

Medical Dictionary

miscarriage

noun mis·car·riage \ mis-ˈkar-ij \

medical Definition of miscarriage

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

Learn More about miscarriage

See words that rhyme with miscarriage Spanish Central: Translation of miscarriage Nglish: Translation of miscarriage for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of miscarriage for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about miscarriage

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up miscarriage? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

miscarriage

Definition of miscarriage

Examples of miscarriage in a Sentence

Recent Examples of miscarriage from the Web

First Known Use of miscarriage

MISCARRIAGE Defined for English Language Learners

miscarriage

Definition of miscarriage for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

miscarriage

medical Definition of miscarriage

Learn More about miscarriage

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

nuncupative

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

The Synonyms 'Discover' and 'Invent'

I'll Have the Us(ual)

The Origins of 'Lobbyist'

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

The Exceptions Quiz III

Forms of Government Quiz

Spell It

SCRABBLE® Sprint

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Words of the Year: 1066

miscarriage

Definition of miscarriage

From the M-W Editors

Examples of miscarriage in a Sentence

Recent Examples of miscarriage from the Web

First Known Use of miscarriage

Phrases Related to MISCARRIAGE

Related Phrases

MISCARRIAGE Defined for English Language Learners

miscarriage

Definition of miscarriage for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

miscarriage

medical Definition of miscarriage

Learn More about miscarriage

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Words of the Year: 1066