variants
or D and C
plural D&Cs or D and Cs
: a medical procedure in which the uterine cervix is dilated and a curette is inserted into the uterus to scrape away the endometrium (as for the diagnosis or treatment of abnormal bleeding or for surgical abortion during the early part of the second trimester of pregnancy) : dilation and curettage
1
[Italian da capo]
from the beginning
2
decimal classification
3
direct current
4
District of Columbia
5
doctor of chiropractic
6
double crochet
Examples of D&C in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
25 June 2026
In those cases, some doctors have left women bleeding and in pain instead of offering a D&C, a procedure that can prevent hemorrhage.
—
Cassandra Jaramillo,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
In those cases, some doctors have left women bleeding and in pain instead of offering a D&C, a procedure that can prevent hemorrhage.
—
Cassandra Jaramillo,
ProPublica,
5 Feb. 2026
Getting slowly impatient, mind you, because the D&C arsonist has apparently already set 200+ fires and irritation is only beginning to set in.
—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
26 June 2025
Others choose to undergo a surgical procedure called dilation and curettage (D&C), during which you’ll be sedated and a surgeon removes the fetal tissue.
—
Lisa McCarty,
SELF,
21 May 2025
Her recommendation was the pill—the D&C could occasionally lead to scarring—but the choice was mine.
—
Ashley Parker,
The Atlantic,
2 Apr. 2025
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Noun
Any doctors who violate the law face up to 99 years in prison, which has led many medical professionals to avoid the D&C even in cases of miscarriage, out of fear of punishment.
—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
25 June 2026
In those cases, some doctors have left women bleeding and in pain instead of offering a D&C, a procedure that can prevent hemorrhage.
—
Cassandra Jaramillo,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
In those cases, some doctors have left women bleeding and in pain instead of offering a D&C, a procedure that can prevent hemorrhage.
—
Cassandra Jaramillo,
ProPublica,
5 Feb. 2026
Getting slowly impatient, mind you, because the D&C arsonist has apparently already set 200+ fires and irritation is only beginning to set in.
—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
26 June 2025
Others choose to undergo a surgical procedure called dilation and curettage (D&C), during which you’ll be sedated and a surgeon removes the fetal tissue.
—
Lisa McCarty,
SELF,
21 May 2025
Her recommendation was the pill—the D&C could occasionally lead to scarring—but the choice was mine.
—
Ashley Parker,
The Atlantic,
2 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“D&C.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/D%26C. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
D&C
1 of 2 noun
variants
or D and C
: a medical procedure in which the uterine cervix is dilated and a curette is inserted into the uterus to scrape away the endometrium (as for the diagnosis or treatment of abnormal bleeding or for surgical abortion during the early part of the second trimester of pregnancy) : dilation and curettage
DC
2 of 2 abbreviation1
Dental Corps
2
diagnostic center
3
direct current
4
doctor of chiropractic
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