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

An infection can also cause a miscarriage and stillbirths in pregnant people. —Julia Gomez, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025

Severe infections can also lead to miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women. —Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025

Anne gave birth to one daughter, the Princess Elizabeth; her other pregnancies ended in miscarriage, including the late miscarriage of a baby boy in January 1536. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 27 Aug. 2025

After experiencing a miscarriage, Knox and Robinson welcomed their daughter, Eureka, in 2021, and their son, Echo, in 2023. —Makena Gera, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025

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