malpractice

noun

mal·​prac·​tice ˌmal-ˈprak-təs 

1

: a dereliction of professional duty or a failure to exercise an ordinary degree of professional skill or learning by one (such as a physician) rendering professional services which results in injury, loss, or damage

2

: an injurious, negligent, or improper practice : malfeasance

Examples of malpractice in a Sentence

a surgeon accused of malpractice

Doctors need to have malpractice insurance to protect themselves against lawsuits.

Recent Examples on the Web

The crematory, which received its permit in 2016, had a history of malpractice, according to the permit suspension order. —Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2025

That so little help is coming feels like franchise malpractice. —Mark Lazerus, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025

As this episode of What’s Ahead explains, the IMF is guilty of serious economic malpractice. —Steve Forbes, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025

Doe is suing Buzbee for legal malpractice, violation of judiciary law, breach of fiduciary duty, fradulent misrepresentation and tortious interference. —Charmaine Patterson, People.com, 20 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1671, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

malpractice

noun

mal·​prac·​tice (ˈ)mal-ˈprak-təs 

: violation of professional standards especially by carelessness or improper conduct

Medical Definition

malpractice

1 of 2 noun

mal·​prac·​tice (ˈ)mal-ˈprak-təs 

: a dereliction of professional duty or a failure to exercise an accepted degree of professional skill or learning by a physician rendering professional services which results in injury, loss, or damage

malpractice

2 of 2 intransitive verb

malpracticed; malpracticing

: to engage in or commit malpractice

Legal Definition

malpractice

noun

mal·​prac·​tice ˌmal-ˈprak-təs 

: negligence, misconduct, lack of ordinary skill, or a breach of duty in the performance of a professional service (as in medicine) resulting in injury or loss