incision

noun

in·​ci·​sion in-ˈsi-zhən How to pronounce incision (audio)
Synonyms of incisionnext
1
a
: cut, gash
specifically : a wound made especially in surgery by incising the body
b
: a marginal notch (as in a leaf)
2
: an act of incising something
a surgeon's skillful incision
3
: the quality or state of being incisive

Synonyms of incision

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of incision in a Sentence

the surgeon made a thin incision with the scalpel
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.
Vibrio vulnificus can enter the body through unhealed cuts and scrapes, recent piercings and tattoos, and recent surgical incisions. — ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026 This means no running, jumping or swimming to keep the incision dry. — Cody Godwin, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026 These smaller incisions are intended to reduce scalp trauma and support healing, though recovery varies by patient. — Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026 Chlorine doesn't magically seal a shaving nick, scraped knee, or healing surgical incision. — Angela Haupt, Time, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for incision

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of incision was in the 15th century

Rhymes for incision

See All Rhymes for incision

Browse Nearby Words

incised meander
incision
incisive
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Incision.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incision. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

incision

noun
in·​ci·​sion in-ˈsizh-ən How to pronounce incision (audio)
1
: a cut or gash made in something
especially : a cut made into the body during surgery
removed the diseased appendix through a small incision
2
: an act of cutting into something
watched the surgeon's skillful incision

Medical Definition

incision

noun
in·​ci·​sion in-ˈsizh-ən How to pronounce incision (audio)
1
: a cut or wound of body tissue made especially in surgery
2
: an act of incising something
the surgeon's incision of the tissues

More from Merriam-Webster on incision

Nglish: Translation of incision for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of vacuous

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All