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

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Etymology

Origin of incision

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

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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

That is roughly comparable to the amount of time involved in the laser portion of LASIK, but the experimental EMR method required no incision and potentially could use simpler, less expensive equipment.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 29, 2026

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

From Science Daily ● Jun. 23, 2026

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

Without crying out or flinching, Garfield endured the slice of the scalpel as Agnew made a two-and-a-half-inch incision.

From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow

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

That limitation inspired researchers to search for a way to reshape the cornea without making incisions at all.

From Science Daily ● May 28, 2026

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

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

From BBC ● Feb. 23, 2026

Dad takes his seat at his spot at the head of the table, for the moment oblivious to Mom’s irritated overtures, and begins making incisions in his ham.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

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