malpractice
noun
mal·prac·tice
ˌmal-ˈprak-təs
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
The crematory, which received its permit in 2016, had a history of malpractice, according to the permit suspension order.
—Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2025
That so little help is coming feels like franchise malpractice.
—Mark Lazerus, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
As this episode of What’s Ahead explains, the IMF is guilty of serious economic malpractice.
—Steve Forbes, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Doe is suing Buzbee for legal malpractice, violation of judiciary law, breach of fiduciary duty, fradulent misrepresentation and tortious interference.
—Charmaine Patterson, People.com, 20 Dec. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1671, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near malpractice
Cite this Entry
“Malpractice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malpractice. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
malpractice
noun
mal·prac·tice
(ˈ)mal-ˈprak-təs
: violation of professional standards especially by carelessness or improper conduct
Medical Definition
malpractice
1 of 2 noun
mal·prac·tice
(ˈ)mal-ˈprak-təs
: 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
: 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
More from Merriam-Webster on malpractice
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for malpractice
Nglish: Translation of malpractice for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of malpractice for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about malpractice
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