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

Suing for medical malpractice and negligence Juliana McCollum is suing based on medical malpractice and negligence. —Bella Waters, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2025

For some strange reason, however, California’s voters continue to tolerate the Capitol’s chronic fiscal malpractice. —Dan Walters, Mercury News, 27 June 2025

Tragically, the sick person died waiting for care that was tangled in layers of medical malpractice stemming from corporate greed and business rivalry. —Sean M. Cleary, Sun Sentinel, 8 June 2025

There was general liability insurance, business premises insurance, professional (malpractice) insurance, health insurance, life insurance, and disability insurance. —Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025

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