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

The midwifery group was born out of Karie Stewart’s frustration with a system that was failing Black and brown families. —Rod McCullom, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024

Nurse midwives are nurse practitioners who specialize in midwifery and generally work in hospitals in collaboration with doctors. —Alex Golden, Axios, 12 Sep. 2024

Why women opt for a midwife during menopause The midwifery model of care is philosophically different then the medical model of care. —Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 23 Sep. 2024

In Baker’s home state, Wisconsin, a license is required to practice midwifery. —Bracey Harris, NBC News, 20 Sep. 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