gynecology

American  

[gahy-ni-kol-uh-jee, jin-i-, jahy-ni-] / ˌgaɪ nɪˈkɒl ə dʒi, ˌdʒɪn ɪ-, ˌdʒaɪ nɪ- /

noun

1. the branch of medical science that deals with the health maintenance and diseases of women, especially of the reproductive organs. GYN, gyn

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gynecology Scientific  

/ gī′nĭ-kŏl′ə-jē /

1. The scientific study of the female reproductive system, its diseases, and their treatment.

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gynecology Cultural  

1. The branch of medicine devoted to the care of women, and particularly to the study and care of the female reproductive system.

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Other Word Forms

• gynecologic
  adjective
• gynecological
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of gynecology

First recorded in 1840–50; gyneco- + -logy

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Explanation

Gynecology is the medical specialty of female health, particularly the reproductive system. A study of gynecology includes a lot of information about pregnancy and childbirth. A doctor whose expertise is gynecology is usually also an obstetrician, or a physician who provides prenatal and childbirth care to a pregnant woman. Gynecology also includes the treatment of diseases and conditions that only affect women. The word comes from the French gynécologie, which is based on the Greek roots gyne, "women," and -logy, "study of."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

gynecology

Dr. Lauren Streicher, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University, noted that the long-term effects of peptides and exosomes are unclear because of a lack of clinical trials.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

The reason was straightforward: These medications were and are used in obstetrics and gynecology for other reasons.

From Slate ● Feb. 21, 2026

“There’s a finite amount of blood,” said Dr. Sarah Prager, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Washington.

From Salon ● Jul. 2, 2025

Anna Reinert is an assistant professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at USC’s Keck School of Medicine.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 30, 2024

Farmer was trained as an internist and ID specialist, but he had studied other fields on his own, including obstetrics and gynecology, because the needs of his patients demanded it.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

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