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

That permits the tendon to heal, as opposed to normal Achilles tendon repairs, where a surgeon makes an open incision, weaves sutures through it, and may anchor it into the bone. —Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025

Using a sharp awl, make a 2 cm long incision in the widest part of the tail. —Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 1 May 2025

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

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