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

Copyright, trade secrets, malpractice—none of it was written for this, and stretching it will only lead to unfair results. — Hamid Kohan, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

That means our view of ourselves, in reality, also has no darkness—there can be no misidentification or malpractice of ourselves. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Aug. 2026

Clancy has filed a civil lawsuit against Tufts, Jollotta and other providers alleging medical malpractice. — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026

This sounds like malpractice to those who understand the value of 40-man roster spots and know the ramifications of the looming lockout. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 13 Aug. 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