tracheotomy

American  

[trey-kee-ot-uh-mee] / ˌtreɪ kiˈɒt ə mi /

noun

Surgery.

plural

tracheotomies

1. the operation of cutting into the trachea.

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tracheotomy British  

/ ˌtrækɪˈɒtəmɪ /

noun

1. surgical incision into the trachea, usually performed when the upper air passage has been blocked

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Other Word Forms

• tracheotomist noun

Etymology

Origin of tracheotomy

First recorded in 1720–30; tracheo- + -tomy

Example Sentences

He had a tracheotomy operation, affecting his voice and making it difficult to speak.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2025

He felt this technique would be far less disruptive to the person's life than either constantly being tired during the day or, as a last resort, punching a hole in their throat with a tracheotomy.

From Salon • Oct. 23, 2023

A 3-year-old girl had a tracheotomy to help her breathe.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 2, 2023

Compared with the 2011 images, these were toned down—no more tracheotomy holes—and the FDA dropped the 1-800-QUIT-NOW number that the courts had specifically criticized.

From Slate • Jun. 12, 2023

"It's called a tracheotomy," he says, holding his finger against the button, which stops the whistling noise.

From "Freak The Mighty" by Rodman Philbrick