circumcise

verb

cir·​cum·​cise ˈsər-kəm-ˌsīz 

circumcised; circumcising

transitive verb

: to cut off the foreskin of (a male) or the prepuce or clitoris and labia minora of (a female)

circumciser noun

Examples of circumcise in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Because God commanded that males must be circumcised, for instance, Mintz requires that male candidates be free of foreskin prior to conversion. —Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024

Father who officials said circumcised son at home pleads not guilty Online records show Tyler Gibson appeared in court Monday, waived his formal arraignment and pleaded not guilty to his charges. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024

In this case, parents can stress there is no need to get circumcised because of peer pressure. —Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN, 3 Dec. 2024

Orthodox and Conservative Jews require converts to immerse themselves in a mikvah, a ritual bath, and expect male converts to undergo circumcision or, if they are already circumcised, to be pricked to draw a ritual drop of blood. —Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin circumcisus, past participle of circumcidere, from circum- + caedere to cut

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

circumcise

verb

cir·​cum·​cise ˈsər-kəm-ˌsīz 

circumcised; circumcising

: to cut off the foreskin of

Medical Definition

circumcise

transitive verb

cir·​cum·​cise ˈsər-kəm-ˌsīz 

circumcised; circumcising

1

: to cut off the foreskin of (a male) or the prepuce of (a female)

2

: to cut off all or part of the external genitalia and especially the clitoris and labia minora of (a female) see female genital mutilation

circumciser noun