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.

Two delegates from the Bangladesh Midwifery Society, who convinced their government to hire 5,000 extra midwives, were also rejected.

From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026

She left her job in a coffee shop to study for a degree in Midwifery at Coventry University.

From BBC • Dec. 15, 2025

The Nursing and Midwifery Council launched inquiries into several of the nurses involved in Alice's care.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 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

The students at the To Keung School of Midwifery were new women, scientists who changed the rituals.

From "The Woman Warrior" by Maxine Hong Kingston

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