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.

See Examples For:

midwifery

She told the BBC she had her heart set on studying midwifery at Edge Hill University in Ormskirk, Lancashire, but was turned down at the application stage and told she did not have the grades.

From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026

Nearly 400 Welsh nursing and midwifery graduates remain without NHS jobs after the initial process to match them to suitable roles finished.

From BBC ● Jun. 27, 2026

Multiple African and Asian midwifery experts have been denied visas for a major international conference in Portugal, threatening progress on saving millions of babies' lives, organisers and invitees said Friday.

From Barron's ● Jun. 12, 2026

Kate Brintworth, chief midwifery officer for England, said: "I warmly welcome Michelle Welsh to this new role of maternity adviser and look forward to working together to improve maternity care across the country."

From BBC ● May 19, 2026

Peregrine was not just the oldest person in our village, she had a special wisdom for healing, midwifery, and ancient magic.

From "Crispin: The Cross of Lead" by Avi

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