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

Lurie said that usually the most powerful surgeon general reports are those that leave consumers with the ability to make changes themselves or that might spur policy change.

From Salon • Jan. 7, 2026

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 • Oct. 30, 2025

"We'll end up having pockets of outbreaks of different types of infectious diseases," Florida's former surgeon general, Scott Rivkees, told the BBC.

From BBC • Sep. 14, 2025

Regrettably, Loomer also disapproves of Means’ selection as surgeon general, in part due to her history of talking to trees.

From Slate • May 10, 2025

It was photographed and then the surgeon general, Dr. Joseph Barnes, who had tended to Lincoln in the president’s final hours, performed an autopsy.

From "Lincoln's Last Days: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever" by Bill O'Reilly