miscarriage

noun

mis·​car·​riage ˌmis-ˈker-ij How to pronounce miscarriage (audio)
-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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keeping her husband happy yet oblivious—managing his baby fever with staged fake miscarriages—only goes so far when Martha begins suffering an inexplicable illness that culminates in an impossible pregnancy. — Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026 Kid Rock later alleged in an interview with Rolling Stone that Anderson had lied to him about having a miscarriage. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2026 To understand the effect of insurance coverage, consider Michele Metz, a 34-year-old nurse from Murrieta who spent nearly $100,000 for unsuccessful IVF treatments four years ago after a history of multiple miscarriages and endometriosis. — Sarah Elizabeth Richards, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026 Patients experiencing miscarriage get tangled in the same medically unnecessary red tape — and Thursday’s hearing indicated that birth control is next. — Julie F. Kay, STAT, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for miscarriage

Word History

First Known Use

1640, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of miscarriage was in 1640

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Cite this Entry

“Miscarriage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/miscarriage. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

miscarriage

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

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