appendectomy
Americannoun
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
Alex Pietrangelo had a non-COVID illness in late March, then had an appendectomy.
From Seattle Times • May 6, 2024
She added that the whole event was “just something so random. Actually, scar tissue from an appendectomy I had when I was 18 years old.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 3, 2024
Representative Henry Barnhart of Indiana was carried in on a stretcher from a Washington, DC, hospital after an appendectomy; he stayed just long enough to vote.
From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
