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
Government can’t ignore malpractice.
—
Peter Jensen, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2026
From the outset, the firm concentrated on labor law claims, premises liability, vehicle accidents, and medical malpractice matters.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Nicole Kruegel is a partner at Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa, a Palm Beach Gardens, Pensacola and Jacksonville law firm with a national practice focusing on nursing home abuse, medical malpractice, catastrophic injury and mass torts.
—Nicole Kruegel, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
On most teams, what the Wizards did would be considered coaching malpractice.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for malpractice
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Peter Jensen, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2026
From the outset, the firm concentrated on labor law claims, premises liability, vehicle accidents, and medical malpractice matters.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Nicole Kruegel is a partner at Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa, a Palm Beach Gardens, Pensacola and Jacksonville law firm with a national practice focusing on nursing home abuse, medical malpractice, catastrophic injury and mass torts.
—Nicole Kruegel, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
On most teams, what the Wizards did would be considered coaching malpractice.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for malpractice
Cite this Entry
“Malpractice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malpractice. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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