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.

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

Santa Barbara Midwifery and Birth Center, is offering displaced Los Angeles-area fire victims free belly checks, postpartum care and other services for families who evacuated to the Santa Barbara area.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 10, 2025

Nasir is also expected to be removed from the register of nurses by the regulatory body The Nursing and Midwifery Council.

From BBC • Oct. 18, 2024

Midwifery was not illegal in the state of Idaho, but it had not yet been sanctioned.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

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