tracheostomy

American  

[trey-kee-os-tuh-mee] / ˌtreɪ kiˈɒs tə mi /

noun

Surgery.

• tracheostomies
  plural

1. the construction of an artificial opening through the neck into the trachea, usually for the relief of difficulty in breathing.

2. the opening so constructed.

---

tracheostomy British  

/ ˌtrækɪˈɒstəmɪ /

noun

1. the surgical formation of a temporary or permanent opening into the trachea following tracheotomy

---

tracheostomy Scientific  

/ trā′kē-ŏs′tə-mē /

1. Surgical construction of an opening in the trachea, usually by making an incision in the front of the neck, for the insertion of a catheter or tube to facilitate breathing.

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• tracheostomies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of tracheostomy

First recorded in 1920–25; tracheo- + -stomy

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tracheostomy tracheostomies

He is now losing power in his arms and is due to have a tracheostomy - an artificial airway - fitted in his throat this month to help his breathing.

From BBC ● Jan. 6, 2026

Jatana became alarmed by the risks after caring for a 2-year-old child who ended up needing a tracheostomy to breathe.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 29, 2024

After an emergency tracheostomy operation, he was unable to breathe without the iron lung machine that now encased his small body.

From BBC ● Mar. 23, 2024

They may get ventilator coverage by entering hospice care or having a tracheostomy.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 9, 2024

He also had myocarditis in the lining of his heart, and still speaks through a tracheostomy tube in his throat.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 9, 2023

Kilmer was previously diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, for which he underwent two tracheostomies.

From Salon ● Apr. 2, 2025

Patients who survive coma after severe brain injury typically require feeding tubes for nutrition, tracheostomies that allow them to breathe through a tube in the neck and weeks to months of rehabilitation.

From Scientific American ● Oct. 21, 2022

Now she is turning her attention to tracheostomies, where a tube is inserted through the neck and into the windpipe to improve breathing.

From BBC ● Dec. 29, 2021

Some have tracheostomies and require mechanical ventilation, with homes equipped with oxygen and back-up oxygen and power generators.

From Slate ● Oct. 20, 2016

They were patients who’d already had tracheostomies — surgical holes in their throat.

From New York Times ● Feb. 28, 2011