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

And the agency has lost count of how many have suffered miscarriages. — Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 17 Sep. 2026

New mothers can request pair or unpaid time off to recover from miscarriages or for medical conditions such as postpartum depression. — ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026

Pregnant women can suffer stillbirths and miscarriages, as one of the symptoms is high fever, along with symptoms similar to the flu. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026

During pregnancy, these antibodies can raise the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and other complications. — Julie Sharp, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

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