cholecystectomy

noun

cho·​le·​cys·​tec·​to·​my ˌkō-lə-(ˌ)si-ˈstek-tə-mē 

plural cholecystectomies

: surgical excision of the gallbladder

cholecystectomized

ˌkō-lə-(ˌ)si-ˈstek-tə-ˌmīzd 

adjective

Examples of cholecystectomy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In one procedure, a humanoid robot and a human surgeon acting as an assistant completed a cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal). — New Atlas, 10 July 2026

Imitation learning The procedure Kim chose for the robot to master was cholecystectomy, a surgical gallbladder removal routinely performed in US hospitals (roughly 700,000 times a year). — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2025

Some people may not want surgery, are not healthy enough for it, or have retained gallstones after cholecystectomy. — Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 11 June 2025

According to the Mayo Clinic, gallbladder removal, or cholecystectomy, is a common procedure, often performed using a small incision and a camera for a faster recovery. — Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025

In the most severe cases, gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) is an option. — American College Of Lifestyle Medicine, EverydayHealth.com, 15 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

cholecyst "gall bladder" (borrowed from New Latin choilecystis, from chole- chole- + -cystis -cyst) + -ectomy

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cholecystectomy

• adrenalectomy
• endarterectomy
• hypophysectomy
• lymphadenectomy
• ovariectomy
• pancreatectomy
• appendectomy
• hepatectomy
• hysterectomy
• iridectomy
• laminectomy
• laryngectomy

Medical Definition

cholecystectomy

noun

cho·​le·​cys·​tec·​to·​my ˌkō-lə-(ˌ)sis-ˈtek-tə-mē 

plural cholecystectomies

: surgical excision of the gallbladder