midwifery

noun

mid·​wife·​ry ˌmid-ˈwi-f(ə-)rē  -ˈwī- 

ˈmid-ˌwī-

1

: the art or act of assisting at childbirth

also : obstetrics

2

: the art, act, or process of producing, bringing forth, or bringing about

Examples of midwifery in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Lori Link, director of midwifery at Plumas District Hospital, believes the Plumas model can turn what’s become a maternity desert into an oasis. —Ronnie Cohen, Sacramento Bee, 8 Jan. 2025

Medical education, particularly in fields including nursing and midwifery, had been one of the few remaining opportunities for women to continue their studies. —Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024

Medical education, including nursing and midwifery, was one of the only forms of education still available to women in the country. —Brian Cheng, NBC News, 12 Dec. 2024

Students turned away from classes Five Afghan women who were studying nursing and midwifery told NPR that they were turned away from their respective private institutions this week. —Diaa Hadid, NPR, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

midwifery

noun

mid·​wife·​ry ˌmid-ˈwif-(ə-)rē  -ˈwīf- 

ˈmid-ˌwīf-

: the art or act of assisting at childbirth

also : obstetrics

Medical Definition

midwifery

noun

mid·​wife·​ry ˌmid-ˈwif-(ə-)rē  -ˈwīf-; ˈmid-ˌwīf- 

plural midwiferies

: the art or act of assisting at childbirth

also : obstetrics see nurse-midwifery