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

Infections during pregnancy also pose severe risks for mothers who are not vaccinated or immune, including miscarriage and a tenfold increase in death due to pneumonia. —Jennifer Berry Hawes, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026

Doctors have prescribed it for more than 50 years for many off-label indications, including in women with threatened miscarriage, as well as in protocols to prevent preterm birth. —Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2026

Cathy has a miscarriage (a very bloody, gory image from Fennell) and dies from sepsis. —Meg Walters, Glamour, 16 Feb. 2026

Procedures to remove the results of a miscarriage. —Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register, 16 Feb. 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