midwifery

American

[mid-wif-uh-ree, -wif-ree, mid-wahy-fuh-ree, -wahyf-ree] / mɪdˈwɪf ə ri, -ˈwɪf ri, ˈmɪdˌwaɪ fə ri, -ˌwaɪf ri /

noun

the technique or practice of a midwife.

midwifery British

/ ˈmɪdˌwɪfərɪ /

noun

the art or practice of a midwife; obstetrics

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of midwifery

First recorded in 1475–85; see origin at midwife, -ery

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The trust said follow-up activity would take place with independent regulators such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council and General Medical Council.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

According to the Nursing and Midwifery Council, there were 144 men registered as a midwife and 50 as a nurse and midwife on 30 September 2025 across the UK.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

Johanna McMullan, the director of education at QUB's School of Nursing and Midwifery, said what students will learn as part of the programme will leave a "profound and lasting impact".

From BBC • Nov. 11, 2025

In 2021 a Nursing and Midwifery Council panel determined that Kate Shemirani should be struck off as a nurse for promoting misinformation about the pandemic.

From BBC • Jun. 23, 2025

Midwifery had been Dad’s idea, one of his schemes for self-reliance.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023