malpractice

noun

mal·​prac·​tice ˌmal-ˈprak-təs How to pronounce malpractice (audio)
1
: a dereliction of professional duty or a failure to exercise an ordinary degree of professional skill or learning by one (such as a physician) rendering professional services which results in injury, loss, or damage
2
: an injurious, negligent, or improper practice : malfeasance

Examples of malpractice in a Sentence

a surgeon accused of malpractice Doctors need to have malpractice insurance to protect themselves against lawsuits.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Arkansas House of Representatives approved on Wednesday a bill that would amend a 2023 law that allows malpractice claims regarding gender-affirming care provided to minors to be filed up to 15 years after the minor turns 18 years old. Josh Snyder, Arkansas Online, 10 Apr. 2025 Not Exactly | Opinion Yes, but anyone advising Xi to not beg Trump for forgiveness is also committing malpractice. Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025 The larger entities therefore provide the malpractice coverage. Bruce Japsen, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025 In fact, in 2023 people of color were urged to take precautions from the service, due to a history of burns and malpractice from the procedure. Náosha Gregg, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for malpractice

Word History

First Known Use

1671, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of malpractice was in 1671

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Cite this Entry

“Malpractice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malpractice. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

malpractice

noun
mal·​prac·​tice (ˈ)mal-ˈprak-təs How to pronounce malpractice (audio)
: violation of professional standards especially by carelessness or improper conduct

Medical Definition

malpractice

1 of 2 noun
mal·​prac·​tice (ˈ)mal-ˈprak-təs How to pronounce malpractice (audio)
: a dereliction of professional duty or a failure to exercise an accepted degree of professional skill or learning by a physician rendering professional services which results in injury, loss, or damage

malpractice

2 of 2 intransitive verb
malpracticed; malpracticing
: to engage in or commit malpractice

Legal Definition

malpractice

noun
mal·​prac·​tice ˌmal-ˈprak-təs How to pronounce malpractice (audio)
: negligence, misconduct, lack of ordinary skill, or a breach of duty in the performance of a professional service (as in medicine) resulting in injury or loss
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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