miscarriage

noun

mis·​car·​riage ˌmis-ˈker-ij 

-ˈka-rij,

ˈmis-ˌker-ij,

-ˌka-rij

1

: corrupt or incompetent management

especially : a failure in the administration of justice

2

: spontaneous expulsion of a human fetus before it is viable and especially between the 12th and 28th weeks of gestation

Examples of miscarriage in a Sentence

a woman who has suffered multiple miscarriages

a high risk of miscarriage

Recent Examples on the Web

Later pregnancies have a higher risk of complications such as miscarriage, high blood pressure and chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome. —Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2025

Isotretinoin is known to cause severe birth defects and miscarriages in people who are pregnant, says Wong. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2025

On March 20, a young woman suffered a miscarriage in Georgia. —Chris Spargo, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025

Seven goats became pregnant; six had miscarriages, but one kid was born—with a malformed lung. —D. T. Max, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1640, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing miscarriage

• miscarriage of justice

Rhymes for miscarriage

• disparage
• remarriage
• intermarriage
• marriage

Kids Definition

miscarriage

noun

mis·​car·​riage mis-ˈkar-ij 

1

: bad management

especially : a failure in the administration of justice

2

: the accidental separation of an unborn child from the body of its mother before it is capable of living independently : loss of an unborn child through premature birth

Medical Definition

miscarriage

noun

mis·​car·​riage mis-ˈkar-ij 

: spontaneous expulsion of a human fetus before it is viable and especially between the 12th and 28th weeks of gestation compare abortion sense 1a