incision

American  

[in-sizh-uhn] / ɪnˈsɪʒ ən /

noun

• incisions
  plural

1. a cut, gash, or notch.

2. the act of incising.

3. a cutting into, especially for surgical purposes.

4. incisiveness; keenness.

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incision British  

/ ɪnˈsɪʒən /

noun

1. the act of incising

2. a cut, gash, or notch

3. a cut made with a knife during a surgical operation

4. any indentation in an incised leaf

5. rare incisiveness

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Usage

What does incision mean? An incision is a cut made into the body during surgery. Traditionally, incisions are made with surgical instruments like scalpels. However, they can also be made with lasers or robotic tools. Sometimes, incision refers to the scar resulting from such a cut. Incision is the noun form of the verb incise, meaning to cut into. The noun form incision is more commonly used. More generally, incision can refer to any cut or gash, but it is primarily used to refer to surgical incisions. Example: The surgeon explained that she would need to make three small incisions in my abdomen in order to remove my appendix.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• incisions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of incision

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin incīsiōn- (stem of incīsiō ). See incise, -ion

Explanation

An incision is a surgical cut. A doctor uses a scalpel to make an incision in a patient's skin. An incision usually refers to a cut that's made during surgery, like an abdominal incision made by a surgeon during a gall bladder operation. A decorative or artistic cut can also be called an incision, such as a cut in carved wood or marble. Incision can also describe the power of sharp observation, like the incision of your friend who can always tell when you're upset, even when you try to hide it.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

incision incisions

But she wasn’t ready to undergo a coronal brow lift, an invasive procedure that involves making a sizable incision along the scalp and lifting all the skin on the forehead.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

"Luckily they were able to do a slight incision and not have to rip me open completely," he said.

From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026

An interventional radiology team begins by making a small incision in the crease of the leg.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 22, 2026

During the procedure, an interventional radiology team makes a small incision near the crease of the leg.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 23, 2026

"An actual incision is not necessary. It's the same thing if you just spit on your hand."

From "Freak The Mighty" by Rodman Philbrick

During a consultation with the New York plastic surgeon Dr. David Rosenberg, he suggested an alternative that involves smaller incisions and inserting a tiny camera into the body to identify precise areas to lift.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

Before, Ahmad could tap — meaning to cut incisions in the acacia trees, which exude sap that a few weeks later hardens into nodules of Hashab gum — four orchards in one go.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 31, 2026

Currently there is no regulation over who can provide procedures that do not involve incisions.

From BBC ● Feb. 17, 2026

They differed from common trays due to their internal surface, marked with rough impressions or incisions arranged repetitively and regularly.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 25, 2024

At every motion, I could feel the incisions chafe and the crawling of pus.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson

Related Words

• laceration