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

In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. —Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2024

If a pregnant person is infected there is a high risk of miscarriage, with about 95% of fetuses not surviving, according to the CDC. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2024

Even under restrictive laws, health-care providers are legally permitted — and ethically obligated — to provide care for life-threatening pregnancy complications, including miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies. —Kristen Day, National Review, 25 Oct. 2024

Symptoms include: severe headache stiffness high fever diarrhea abdominal pain nausea Pregnant individuals: stillbirth, miscarriage Contributing: Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. —Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1640, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing miscarriage

• miscarriage of justice

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