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

Example Sentences

The most difficult section, “Gendered Dialogues,” delves into Kahlo’s sometimes androgynous appearance and, more poignantly, her boundary-breaking works about her body and the pains of childbirth and miscarriage.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

“It has been a challenge going from the scandal to relationship to miscarriage to arrest to being pregnant again,” she says as a sentimental melody lilts in the background.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

Her attorneys stress that prosecutors can’t tell if she was using misoprostol to treat patients who had given birth or experienced miscarriage.

From Slate • Feb. 21, 2026

The 90-minute film does not claim to be exhaustive, but aims to offer the public the perspectives of both sides of a case that continues to prompt questions and accusations of a miscarriage of justice.

From Barron's • Feb. 4, 2026

To prove her point that she considered the trial a miscarriage of justice, Anthony had three thousand copies of the court transcript printed and distributed across the country to politicians, libraries, and suffrage groups.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

Related Words

• abortion
• mishap