incision

noun

in·​ci·​sion in-ˈsi-zhən 

1

a

: cut, gash

specifically : a wound made especially in surgery by incising the body

b

: a marginal notch (as in a leaf)

2

: an act of incising something

3

: the quality or state of being incisive

Synonyms

• gash
• laceration
• rent
• rip
• slash
• slit
• tear

Examples of incision in a Sentence

the surgeon made a thin incision with the scalpel

Recent Examples on the Web

Make two superficial cross-shaped incisions on the bottom of the tomato. —Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 1 May 2025

Unfortunately, that vertical incision would create a problem for me in any future pregnancy — including the one with my son. —Lizz Schumer, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025

Obese and diabetic patients have a lessened risk of complications when the incision size is decreased through robotic surgery. —Uma Raja, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2025

In laparoscopic surgery, several small incisions are made through which a surgeon can access the abdominal organs. —Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 25 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for incision

• abscission
• collision
• decision
• derision
• division
• elision
• envision
• excision
• misprision
• precision
• prevision
• provision

Kids Definition

incision

noun

in·​ci·​sion in-ˈsizh-ən 

1

: a cut or gash made in something

especially : a cut made into the body during surgery

removed the diseased appendix through a small incision

2

: an act of cutting into something

watched the surgeon's skillful incision

Medical Definition

incision

noun

in·​ci·​sion in-ˈsizh-ən 

1

: a cut or wound of body tissue made especially in surgery

2

: an act of incising something

the surgeon's incision of the tissues