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

The couple attempted to start a family several years earlier, but Fox suffered a miscarriage in 2022. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 1 Apr. 2025

In a recent op-ed, Perkins shared the deeply personal story that a miscarriage shaped her perspective on the sanctity of life. —Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 30 Mar. 2025

Typically used up through 12 weeks into pregnancy, mifepristone blocks a hormone needed for pregnancies to develop, and misoprostol, taken 24 to 48 hours later, causes contractions similar to a miscarriage. —Pam Belluck, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025

The invasive test carries a small but real chance of miscarriage. —Laura Hercher, Scientific American, 24 Mar. 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