appendectomy
Americannoun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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.
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
“Any more than you could perform an appendectomy by Zoom.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 7, 2025
Bearman, standing in for Carlos Sainz after the Spaniard underwent an appendectomy, became at 18 years old the youngest British driver in F1 history, and the third youngest ever.
From BBC • Mar. 9, 2024
ARLINGTON, Texas — Mike McCarthy was nervous for an NFC East showdown with Philadelphia after the Dallas coach missed two days during the week after an emergency appendectomy.
From Washington Times • Dec. 11, 2023
But he was stuck in Berkeley helping Molly tend to their daughter Margaret, who had undergone an emergency appendectomy.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
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.
