surgeon general

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noun, plural surgeons general.

the chief of medical services in one of the armed forces.

(initial capital letters) the head of the U.S. Bureau of Public Health or, in some states, of a state health agency.

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Origin of surgeon general

First recorded in 1770–80

Words nearby surgeon general

surge, surge chamber, surgeon, surgeoncy, surgeonfish, surgeon general, surgeon's knot, surge protector, surgery, surge tank, surge tide

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use surgeon general in a sentence

So when DeSantis appointed Joseph Ladapo — a controversial physician who has questioned the safety of the coronavirus vaccines — to serve as the state’s new surgeon general, Chamberlain was, naturally, peeved.
In a letter to the editor, a man said his relative ‘is past’ covid and ‘completely immune.’ Then came the twist.|Jessica Lipscomb|September 30, 2021|Washington Post
When we interviewed him for this episode, Murthy had “recently served” as surgeon general, in the Obama administration, from 2014 to 2017.
Is There Really a “Loneliness Epidemic”? (Ep. 407 Rebroadcast)|Stephen J. Dubner|September 2, 2021|Freakonomics
I agree with the surgeon general in issuing the advisory about misinformation and disinformation — certainly that plays a big role here.
CNN’s Leana Wen: ‘Public health is now under attack in a way that it has not been before’|KK Ottesen|August 24, 2021|Washington Post
“The surgeon general has to be trusted for the facts,” Burr said.
Exchange between GOP senator, transgender nominee draws fire from Democrats|Dan Diamond, Samantha Schmidt|February 25, 2021|Washington Post

Putting a surgeon general warning on cigarette boxes did have a quick and dramatic effect on smoking rates, but not everybody stopped smoking.
Flattening the curve worked — until it didn’t|Dylan Scott|December 31, 2020|Vox
The new surgeon general certainly has his work cut out for him.
The NRA’s Twisted List for Santa|John Feinblatt|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Many Obama administration sub-Cabinet positions (e.g. Surgeon General) have gone unfilled because of GOP opposition.
If You Think D.C. Is Awful Now, Wait Until Wednesday|Jonathan Alter|November 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Remembering Koop brings us full circle to Obama and his surgeon general, a post that has gone unfilled for more than a year.
How Presidents Handle Pandemics|Eleanor Clift|October 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Not sure if it would be surgeon general or something else within HHS (Health and Human Services).
Sanjay Gupta, on the Ebola Front Lines|Tim Teeman|August 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Nobody wants to walk the electoral plank for a surgeon general,” the aide adds.
Why Rand Paul Is Sinking the Surgeon General Nominee|Eleanor Clift|March 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The people that were ill were put under the care of Mr. Zimers, the Surgeon-General.
Voyage of H.M.S. Pandora|Edward Edwards
In consequence he had been given the highest office that a physician could look for, that of surgeon-general to the army.
The Siege of Boston|Allen French
It seems to be very rare since even our Surgeon General's Library has no copy of it.
Psychotherapy|James J. Walsh
The Surgeon-General stood with half-bowed head and, sinking his voice to a submissive tone, addressed the ground at his feet.
Royal Highness|Thomas Mann
"The President is dead," said the Surgeon-General, and at the words it seemed that every head in the room was bowed on the breast.
The Path of the King|John Buchan

British Dictionary definitions for surgeon general

surgeon general

noun plural surgeons general

(in the British, US, and certain other armies and navies) the senior officer of the medical service

the head of the public health service in the US

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012