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

• slit
• tear

Examples of incision in a Sentence

the surgeon made a thin incision with the scalpel

Recent Examples on the Web

The graft is secured with sutures and the incision in the elbow is stitched back together. —Jamie Barton, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025

With an appeal filed this week, Warner Bros TV is making another incision to stop the legal exhumation of The Pitt, and whether or not claims the Noah Wyle-starring Emmy-winning medical drama is a rip-off of ER will go to trial. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025

Open surgery may also be an option, where a surgeon can pinch the aneurysm shut through an incision along the hairline. —Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025

From digital imaging to micro-incision tools and refined anesthesia protocols, reputable clinics are set up for predictable, comfortable care. —Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 22 Oct. 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