surgical mask

noun

plural surgical masks

: a rectangular-shaped face mask (as of fabric or polypropylene fiber) that is typically secured by two straps tied in the back of head and is intended to be worn by medical personnel during surgical procedures especially to protect the wearer against splashes or splatters of blood or body fluid and to prevent contamination of the patient's surgical wounds

We all know that the human mouth, in microbiological terms, is one of the filthiest things on the planet. Hence a device that could keep things from falling out of the surgeon's mouth and into a wound would be highly desirable. Enter the surgical mask: simple and relatively cheap.

—Howard Seiden

On a Thursday afternoon in mid-December, Dr. Roger Ott Sr. pulled on a pair of latex gloves, a surgical mask and a gown, and stepped into the operating room for a routine surgical procedure.

—Susan Gwiasda

also : a face mask (such as a procedure mask) that resembles a surgical mask

It used to be that shouting "Fire!" in a crowded theater was the classic panic trigger. Now it's coughing or sneezing. … Until this crisis is over, theaters should hand out surgical masks to all patrons.

—John Weeks

The fine metal dust that is raised in polishing can be unhealthy if breathed in, so wear a surgical mask while polishing.

—Reader's Digest Crafts & Hobbies

Examples of surgical mask in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At her court appearances, Lindsay has worn surgical masks, but that hasn’t stopped online spectators from searching her face for signs of remorse. —Eren Orbey, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024

Zoya and the museum’s director, James Snyder, are about to have a conversation onstage when young activists in black surgical masks stand up and begin to shout. —Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 5 Oct. 2024

Both Greenberg and council Republicans say enforcing the ordinance could help police identify suspects of crimes, but Pryor is skeptical of its effectiveness and would like to see data on how many people are committing crimes in surgical masks. —Eleanor McCrary, The Courier-Journal, 2 Oct. 2024

Defendants who are not in custody have been arriving at the courthouse wearing surgical masks or hoods to avoid having their faces filmed or photographed. —Diane Jeantet, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

surgical mask

noun

: a protective mask covering the mouth and nose that is typically secured by two straps tied in the back of head and is intended to be worn by medical personnel during surgical procedures especially to protect the wearer against splashes or splatters of blood or body fluid and to prevent contamination of the patient's surgical wounds

Medical Definition

surgical mask

noun

: a rectangular-shaped face mask (as of fabric or polypropylene fiber) that is typically secured by two straps tied behind the head and that is intended to be worn by medical personnel during surgical procedures especially to protect the wearer against splashes or splatters of body fluids and to prevent contamination of the patient's surgical wounds

Surgical masks have been in widespread use since the early 1900s to help prevent infection of surgical wounds from staff-generated nasal and oral bacteria. Today, surgical masks vary widely in style and intended application and can be found in a broad range of hospital and health care settings.

—Tara Oberg and Lisa M. Brosseau, American Journal of Infection Control

also : a face mask (such as a {d_link|procedure mask|procedure_mask) that resembles a surgical mask