miscarriage

American  

[mis-kar-ij, mis-kar-ij] / mɪsˈkær ɪdʒ, ˈmɪsˌkær ɪdʒ /

noun

1. the expulsion of a fetus before it is viable, especially between the third and seventh months of pregnancy; spontaneous abortion.

2. failure to attain the just, right, or desired result.

   a miscarriage of justice.

3. failure of something sent, as a letter, to reach its destination.

4. Chiefly British. transportation of goods not in accordance with the contract of shipment.

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miscarriage British  

/ mɪsˈkærɪdʒ /

noun

1. spontaneous expulsion of a fetus from the womb, esp prior to the 20th week of pregnancy

2. an act of mismanagement or failure

   a miscarriage of justice

3. the failure of freight to reach its destination

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miscarriage Scientific  

/ mĭs′kăr′ĭj /

1. The premature, spontaneous expulsion of the products of pregnancy from the uterus, usually in the first trimester.

2. Also called spontaneous abortion

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miscarriage Cultural  

1. A spontaneous and premature expulsion of an embryo or fetus from the uterus before it is capable of surviving on its own.

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Discover More

Generally, a miscarriage is a failure to achieve a desired end, as in a miscarriage of justice.

Etymology

Origin of miscarriage

First recorded in 1605–15; mis- ¹ + carriage

Explanation

A miscarriage, in medical terms, is the birth of a fetus before it's able to live independently of its mother. In other words, a miscarriage is the abrupt, early end of a pregnancy. The medical sense of miscarriage, which usually describes the very early loss of a pregnancy (later losses are often called stillbirths), is actually among the newer uses of the word. In the sixteenth century, a miscarriage was almost always a "mistake or error" or sometimes "misbehavior." Today, when something doesn't go the way it was supposed to, you might call it a miscarriage.

Example Sentences

Doctors routinely prescribe them for miscarriage management, endometriosis, fibroids, complications from Cushing’s disease and other serious reproductive health conditions, where they can prevent infection or reduce severe pain.

From Salon • May 2, 2026

He said he "no longer wishes to have a lawyer" and the appeal should not continue as "it would likely lead to a miscarriage of justice".

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

After a second miscarriage, women were tested for anaemia and abnormal thyroid function, which can affect pregnancy outcomes.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

“This is a miscarriage of justice,” he said Monday.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

I did not know she had been trying to have a baby since the last miscarriage almost six years ago.

From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Related Words

• abortion
• mishap