incision

noun

in·​ci·​sion in-ˈsi-zhən 

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

3

: the quality or state of being incisive

Synonyms

• gash
• laceration
• rent
• rip
• slash
• slit
• tear

Examples of incision in a Sentence

the surgeon made a thin incision with the scalpel

Recent Examples on the Web

Causes and Treatment Medical Removal If medical removal is necessary, a healthcare provider must perform a surgical procedure known as an incision and drainage. —Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 25 Feb. 2025

Specifically, there were three clusters of six, 12 and 18 incisions. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2025

The robotic surgery allows a smaller incision and quicker recovery. —Wendy Grossman Kantor, People.com, 19 Feb. 2025

The moment of incision, in a call back to some of the goals scored under Marcelo Bielsa, came with five clinical passes. —Nancy Froston, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for incision

• abscission
• collision
• decision
• derision
• division
• elision
• envision
• excision
• misprision
• precision
• prevision
• provision

Kids Definition

incision

noun

in·​ci·​sion in-ˈsizh-ən 

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 

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