lobotomy

noun

lo·​bot·​o·​my lō-ˈbä-tə-mē How to pronounce lobotomy (audio)
plural lobotomies
: surgical severance of nerve fibers connecting the frontal lobes to the thalamus that has been performed especially formerly chiefly to treat mental illness

Examples of lobotomy 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.
Those between-scene lobotomies are doing a LOT of heavy lifting this season. Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2024 In her 20s, her father put her in an institution and she was given a lobotomy. Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Oct. 2024 The technique has been practiced since the 19th century, though older methods often subjected patients to more extreme measures like lobotomies and shock treatments. Arianna Johnson, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024 From institutionalizing autistic people to conducting lobotomies on people with mood disorders, neurodivergent people have been treated terribly for centuries. Maya Richard-Craven, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lobotomy 

Word History

Etymology

lobe + -o- + -tomy

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lobotomy was in 1936

Dictionary Entries Near lobotomy

Cite this Entry

“Lobotomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lobotomy. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

lobotomy

noun
lo·​bot·​o·​my lō-ˈbät-ə-mē How to pronounce lobotomy (audio)
plural lobotomies
: surgical severance of nerve fibers connecting the frontal lobes to the thalamus that has been performed especially formerly chiefly to treat mental illness

called also leukotomy

compare lobectomy

More from Merriam-Webster on lobotomy

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!