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

But infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn, says the U.S. Department of Agriculture. —Mike Snider, USA Today, 17 May 2025

Pregnant women infected by the organism can experience miscarriages and stillbirths. —CBS News, 13 May 2025

Listeria is also an infection known to cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. —Moná Thomas, People.com, 13 May 2025

In severe cases, the infection can lead to miscarriages, stillbirths or death. —Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 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