surgeon general

American  

noun

PLURAL

surgeons general

1. the chief of medical services in one of the armed forces.

2. (initial capital letters)  the head of the U.S. Bureau of Public Health or, in some states, of a state health agency.

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surgeon general British  

noun

1. (in the British, US, and certain other armies and navies) the senior officer of the medical service

2. the head of the public health service in the US

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Etymology

Origin of surgeon general

First recorded in 1770–80

Example Sentences

Surgeon General Vivek Murthy are aiming to put an initiative on next year’s ballot to protect children from social media, specifically the chatbots that have been accused of prompting young people to kill themselves.

From Los Angeles Times

Surgeon General in his 2025 advisory, potentially reducing preventable cancer-related deaths.

From Science Daily

The wellness author, picked by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be surgeon general, was due to give birth to her first child Tuesday, just days before her expected virtual Senate confirmation hearing Thursday.

From The Wall Street Journal

The primary power of any surgeon general is in being the voice of authority as America’s top doctor.

From The Wall Street Journal

Means is hoping not to dwell on the topic of vaccines as surgeon general, according to the people familiar with her thinking.

From The Wall Street Journal