incision

American  

[in-sizh-uhn] / ɪnˈsɪʒ ən /

noun

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.

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

More surgical options have emerged too, such as smaller incisions in the chest, or a robotic surgery that involves a smaller incision on a person’s side near the armpit.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

“I feel a lot better now,” said Scott, who hadn’t pitched in the playoffs before having an abscess incision on Oct.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 20, 2025

Surgeons then make a small incision and the piece is removed.

From BBC • Jul. 1, 2025

The team found that between around 11,500 and four thousand years ago, the Nile experienced significant valley incision, meaning the river cut down into its bed, creating deep channels and a narrower flood plain.

From Science Daily • Jun. 3, 2024

That morning, Dr. Agnew had enlarged the incision on Garfield's back, taken out pieces of bone, and inserted two drainage tubes.

From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow

Related Words

• laceration