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

Currently, there is a huge gap between the number of people who may seek out fertility treatment in the US—for example, those with infertility or recurrent miscarriage, and LGBTQ+ folks—and those who can access it. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 9 Mar. 2026

Later in the month, Doyle shared on social media the news that his wife, Shelby Rose, had a miscarriage. —Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 8 Mar. 2026

His petition says the medications can cause pregnancy complications, including miscarriages and fetal brain abnormalities that may lead to autism and other disorders in children. —Ed Silverman, STAT, 5 Mar. 2026

Furthermore, untreated fever during pregnancy carries a host of risks to the fetus, including miscarriage, birth defects and premature birth. —Sara Novak, Scientific American, 5 Mar. 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