miscarriage

noun

mis·​car·​riage ˌmis-ˈker-ij How to pronounce miscarriage (audio)
-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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 In 2016, both King Harald and Queen Sonja appeared in a seven-part documentary about their lives as royals, during which Sonja spoke about having a miscarriage 46 years prior. — Emma Kershaw, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026 Medical doctrine had long held that a pregnant patient with an opioid addiction could not be safely detoxed because withdrawal could harm the fetus, causing physical stress and even triggering miscarriage. — Amy Yurkanin, ProPublica, 24 Aug. 2026 Getty Images Extreme heat and air pollution are raising the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth. — Catarina Rolfsdotter-Jansson, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for miscarriage

Word History

First Known Use

1640, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of miscarriage was in 1640

Phrases Containing miscarriage

Rhymes for miscarriage

See All Rhymes for miscarriage

Browse Nearby Words

miscaptioned
miscarriage
miscarriage of justice
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Miscarriage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/miscarriage. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

miscarriage

noun
mis·​car·​riage mis-ˈkar-ij How to pronounce miscarriage (audio)
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 How to pronounce miscarriage (audio)
: spontaneous expulsion of a human fetus before it is viable and especially between the 12th and 28th weeks of gestation compare abortion sense 1a

More from Merriam-Webster on miscarriage

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about miscarriage

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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