appendectomy

American  

[ap-uhn-dek-tuh-mee] / ˌæp ənˈdɛk tə mi /

especially British, appendicectomy

noun

Surgery.

plural

appendectomies

1. excision of the vermiform appendix.

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appendectomy Cultural  

1. The surgical removal of the appendix.

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Etymology

Origin of appendectomy

First recorded in 1890–95; append(ix) + -ectomy

Explanation

An appendectomy is an operation in which a surgeon removes your appendix. If your appendix is inflamed or infected, you'll probably need an appendectomy. Your appendix is a small part of your digestive system — it's not uncommon for it to grow inflamed and enlarged, a painful situation that can become dangerous without an emergency appendectomy. The first successful appendectomy was performed in the early 1700s, though the word for the procedure wasn't coined until 1891. The root is the Latin appendix, "an addition" or "something attached."

Example Sentences

Andreescu was plagued with injuries - issues with her abdomen and ankle kept her away from the court, and her 2025 season was delayed by appendectomy surgery.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

The 76ers’ Joel Embiid missed the first several games of this year’s playoffs while he recovered from an emergency appendectomy.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Arizona keeps fighting but is severely undermanned, and shouldn’t rush Marvin Harrison Jr. back from an appendectomy.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 20, 2025

Their best hope for bolstering the offensive line may rest in how quickly top draft pick Peter Skoronski returns from an appendectomy Sept. 16 to his starting left guard job.

From Washington Times • Sep. 27, 2023

“He could do an appendectomy with a teaspoon in the back of a roller coaster,” said Kelley.

From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge