variants or D and C
plural D&Cs or D and Cs
: a medical procedure in which the uterine cervix is dilated and a curette is inserted into the uterus to scrape away the endometrium (as for the diagnosis or treatment of abnormal bleeding or for surgical abortion during the early part of the second trimester of pregnancy) : dilation and curettage

DC

2 of 2

abbreviation

1
[Italian da capo] from the beginning
2
decimal classification
3
direct current
4
District of Columbia
5
doctor of chiropractic
6
double crochet

Examples of D&C in a Sentence

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.
Noun
Experts claim that misoprostol is too risky to use when the mother is experiencing such heavy bleeding, and a D&C should have been performed. Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 26 Nov. 2024 The state had recently attached criminal penalties to performing a D&C, with few exceptions. Amy Yurkanin, CNN, 21 Nov. 2024 The miscarriage that requires a D&C to remove the remainder of fetal material. Essence, 31 Oct. 2024 The second miscarriage required undergoing a D&C to remove the tissue from the uterus. Mia Taylor, Parents, 16 Oct. 2024 My fourth and final D&C the next morning was successful. Tara Lipinski, Allure, 15 Oct. 2024 As her condition deteriorated, doctors discussed a procedure to empty the uterus called a dilation and curettage, or D&C; the state had recently attached criminal penalties to performing it, with few exceptions. Ziva Branstetter, ProPublica, 3 Oct. 2024 Thurman needed a dilation and curettage, or D&C, a procedure in which tissue is removed from inside the uterus. Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 21 Sep. 2024 This may occur after a dilation and curettage (D&C) or uterine surgery. Rachel Gurevich, Parents, 25 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1960, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of D&C was in 1960

Dictionary Entries Near D&C

Cite this Entry

“D&C.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/D%26C. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

D&C

1 of 2 noun
variants or D and C
: a medical procedure in which the uterine cervix is dilated and a curette is inserted into the uterus to scrape away the endometrium (as for the diagnosis or treatment of abnormal bleeding or for surgical abortion during the early part of the second trimester of pregnancy) : dilation and curettage

DC

2 of 2 abbreviation
1
Dental Corps
2
diagnostic center
3
direct current
4
doctor of chiropractic

Legal Definition

D.C.

abbreviation
district court
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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