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

Pregnant women are especially vulnerable to stillbirths and miscarriages. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 7 Sep. 2026

In July 2025, Joy-Anna opened up about experiencing a miscarriage at 20 weeks in 2019 while appearing on an episode of her sister Jinger Duggar’s podcast, The Jinger and Jeremy Podcast. — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026

Infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Medical doctrine had long held that a pregnant patient with an opioid addiction could not be safely detoxed because withdrawal could harm the fetus, causing physical stress and even triggering miscarriage. — Amy Yurkanin, ProPublica, 24 Aug. 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