vasectomy

noun

va·​sec·​to·​my və-ˈsek-tə-mē How to pronounce vasectomy (audio)
vā-ˈzek-
plural vasectomies
: surgical division or resection of all or part of the vas deferens usually to induce sterility

Examples of vasectomy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
About one in every fifty American men has a prescription for sildenafil, commonly known as Viagra, and about one in twenty-five have vasectomies. S. C. Cornell, New Yorker, 2 May 2025 In the finale, Alex is technically off duty to accompany her husband, Tim (Kyle Bornheimer), to his vasectomy. Hunter Ingram, Variety, 30 Apr. 2025 Patrick, a Republican ideologue with ties to Rush Limbaugh, was a former radio host who once broadcast his own vasectomy live on air. Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025 However, in order to do that, Arie had to undergo a vasectomy reversal. Hannah Sacks, People.com, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vasectomy

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French vasectomie, from vas (deferens) vas deferens + -ectomie -ectomy

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vasectomy was in 1899

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vasectomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vasectomy. Accessed 19 May. 2025.

Medical Definition

vasectomy

noun
va·​sec·​to·​my -tə-mē How to pronounce vasectomy (audio)
plural vasectomies
: surgical division or resection of all or part of the vas deferens usually to induce sterility

More from Merriam-Webster on vasectomy

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