midwife
MIHD-wyf
Midwife (noun) means a trained professional, usually not a doctor, who helps women give birth. Example: “Her midwife stayed with her throughout the entire labour.”
noun
1
A trained professional, usually not a doctor, who helps women give birth.
"Her midwife stayed with her throughout the entire labour."
2
Someone or something that helps bring about an important change or outcome.
"The mentor acted as a midwife to the young writer's first novel."
verb
1
To work as a midwife, assisting in childbirth.
"She has midwifed hundreds of babies over her career."
2
To help something difficult come into being.
"The negotiator midwifed a fragile peace deal."
How to use midwife
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA birth specialist, or by extension, anyone who helps guide something new into existence.
Common pairings
certified midwife
midwife a birth
midwife an agreement
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Word forms
- Plural
- midwives
- Third person singular
- midwifes
- Past tense
- midwifed
- Verb form
- midwive
Fill the gap
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Her _____ stayed with her throughout the entire labour.
Etymology
From Middle English midwif, from "mid" ("with") + "wif" ("woman") — literally "with-woman", someone who is with the mother during birth.
Synonyms
View more →
accoucheuse
Rhymes for midwife
See all rhymes for midwife →Frequently asked questions
What does “midwife” mean?
The word “midwife” means a trained professional, usually not a doctor, who helps women give birth. In plain terms, a birth specialist, or by extension, anyone who helps guide something new into existence.
How do you pronounce “midwife”?
“Midwife” is pronounced MIHD-wyf (/ˈmɪd.waɪf/ in IPA).
How do you use “midwife” in a sentence?
Here is “midwife” used in a sentence: “Her midwife stayed with her throughout the entire labour.”
What is another word for “midwife”?
Words with a similar meaning to “midwife” include accoucheuse.
What part of speech is “midwife”?
Depending on how it is used, “midwife” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “midwife” come from?
The word “midwife” comes from Middle English. From Middle English midwif, from "mid" ("with") + "wif" ("woman") — literally "with-woman", someone who is with the mother during birth.
Is “midwife” a common word?
“Midwife” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “midwife” have?
“Midwife” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a trained professional, usually not a doctor, who helps women give birth.
