operating room

American  

noun

1. a specially equipped room, usually in a hospital, where surgical procedures are performed. OR

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Etymology

Origin of operating room

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

“We had a colloquial term in the operating room: December Deductible Derby,” said Dr. Parcells, noting that patients seeking insurance-covered surgeries like breast augmentations have deductibles in mind.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 7, 2026

"There's a lot of interesting emotional circuits that are deep in the brain, but until now you couldn't manipulate them outside of the operating room."

From Science Daily • Feb. 4, 2026

"My love has just gone to the operating room," Bolsonaro's wife Michelle said in an Instagram post.

From Barron's • Dec. 25, 2025

The patient would be in a hospital operating room, while the doctor could carry out the procedure using the Sentante machine from anywhere - even their own home.

From BBC • Nov. 10, 2025

I was in the operating room on a ship.

From "Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two" by Joseph Bruchac