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

After a 10-year investigation and five malpractice claims, the Iowa Board of Medicine has issued a warning to a Des Moines surgeon accused of incompetence and unprofessional and unethical conduct. —Clark Kauffman, Des Moines Register, 28 Jan. 2026

Such propaganda is educational as well as political malpractice. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026

While OpenAI touts enhanced protections, healthcare systems must answer to regulators, malpractice insurers and patient safety boards. —Sahar Hashmi, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026

Most malpractice cases that go to trial are won by physicians, even when there is clear evidence of negligence as determined by other doctors. —Vamsi Aribindi, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 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