malpractice

noun

mal·​prac·​tice ˌmal-ˈprak-təs 

1

: a dereliction of professional duty or a failure to exercise an ordinary degree of professional skill or learning by one (such as a physician) rendering professional services which results in injury, loss, or damage

2

: an injurious, negligent, or improper practice : malfeasance

Examples of malpractice in a Sentence

a surgeon accused of malpractice

Doctors need to have malpractice insurance to protect themselves against lawsuits.

Recent Examples on the Web

In a landmark case, a New York jury has awarded a $2 million medical malpractice verdict to Varian who sued doctors for performing a double mastectomy on her at just 16 years old. —Nicole Russell, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026

Georgia Supreme Court justices seemed skeptical after two separate medical malpractice cases resurfaced the question of whether the state can place a cap on money awarded by juries in wrongful death lawsuits. —Jozsef Papp, AJC.com, 5 Feb. 2026

Months before the killings, McKee was sued for medical malpractice, according to court records previously obtained by PEOPLE. —Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026

Any buy on Trotz’s part would be malpractice. —The Athletic Nhl Staff, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1671, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for malpractice

• actus
• cactus
• practice
• practise
• tractus

Kids Definition

malpractice

noun

mal·​prac·​tice (ˈ)mal-ˈprak-təs 

: violation of professional standards especially by carelessness or improper conduct

Medical Definition

malpractice

1 of 2 noun

mal·​prac·​tice (ˈ)mal-ˈprak-təs 

: a dereliction of professional duty or a failure to exercise an accepted degree of professional skill or learning by a physician rendering professional services which results in injury, loss, or damage

malpractice

2 of 2 intransitive verb

malpracticed; malpracticing

: to engage in or commit malpractice

Legal Definition

malpractice

noun

mal·​prac·​tice ˌmal-ˈprak-təs 

: negligence, misconduct, lack of ordinary skill, or a breach of duty in the performance of a professional service (as in medicine) resulting in injury or loss