oophorectomy

noun

oo·​pho·​rec·​to·​my ˌō-ə-fə-ˈrek-tə-mē How to pronounce oophorectomy (audio)
plural oophorectomies
: the surgical removal of an ovary

called also ovariectomy

Examples of oophorectomy 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.
Munn froze her eggs for the third time at 42 years old following her breast cancer diagnosis and underwent an oophorectomy and hysterectomy, which removed her uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries, during cancer treatment. Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2025 Mice who received fecal transplants from mice who had received double oophorectomies gained weight. Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 2 June 2024 The actress also underwent a partial hysterectomy/oophorectomy in April 2024. Emma Aerin Becker, Peoplemag, 23 Sep. 2024 The Newsroom actress revealed in March that she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023 and underwent a double mastectomy as well as a hysterectomy and oophorectomy, which is the removal of the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. Sara Netzley, EW.com, 22 Sep. 2024 With females, a decline in testosterone typically occurs alongside drops in estrogen and progesterone due to aging, menopause, or the removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy). James Myhre & Dennis Sifris, Md, Verywell Health, 3 Sep. 2024 Some types of surgeries and cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and oophorectomy, can damage the ovaries and cause early menopause. Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 9 Mar. 2023 Jolie had a prophylactic mastectomy as well as a prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy. Mikayla Morell, Health, 15 Feb. 2023 Ginsberg underwent preventative double mastectomy, hysterectomy, and oophorectomy procedures after testing positive for the BRCA1 gene, which is associated with a higher risk of breast and ovarian cancers. Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 2 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

New Latin oophoron ovary (from o- + Greek -phoron, neuter of -phoros -phore) + English -ectomy

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of oophorectomy was in 1872

Dictionary Entries Near oophorectomy

Cite this Entry

“Oophorectomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oophorectomy. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

Medical Definition

oophorectomy

noun
oo·​pho·​rec·​to·​my ˌō-ə-fə-ˈrek-tə-mē How to pronounce oophorectomy (audio)
plural oophorectomies
: the surgical removal of an ovary

called also ovariectomy

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!