surgeon general

noun

, plural surgeons general.

1. the chief of medical services in one of the armed forces.
2. (initial capital letters) the head of the U.S. Bureau of Public Health or, in some states, of a state health agency.

surgeon general

noun

1. (in the British, US, and certain other armies and navies) the senior officer of the medical service
2. the head of the public health service in the US

Word History and Origins

Origin of surgeon general¹

First recorded in 1770–80

Example Sentences

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.

From Washington Post

When we interviewed him for this episode, Murthy had “recently served” as surgeon general, in the Obama administration, from 2014 to 2017.

From Freakonomics

I agree with the surgeon general in issuing the advisory about misinformation and disinformation — certainly that plays a big role here.

From Washington Post

“The surgeon general has to be trusted for the facts,” Burr said.

From 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.

From Vox

The new surgeon general certainly has his work cut out for him.

From The Daily Beast

Many Obama administration sub-Cabinet positions (e.g. Surgeon General) have gone unfilled because of GOP opposition.

From The 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.

From The Daily Beast

Not sure if it would be surgeon general or something else within HHS (Health and Human Services).

From The Daily Beast

“Nobody wants to walk the electoral plank for a surgeon general,” the aide adds.

From The Daily Beast

The people that were ill were put under the care of Mr. Zimers, the Surgeon-General.

From Project Gutenberg

In consequence he had been given the highest office that a physician could look for, that of surgeon-general to the army.

From Project Gutenberg

It seems to be very rare since even our Surgeon General's Library has no copy of it.

From Project Gutenberg

The Surgeon-General stood with half-bowed head and, sinking his voice to a submissive tone, addressed the ground at his feet.

From Project Gutenberg

"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.

From Project Gutenberg