circumcision

noun

cir·​cum·​ci·​sion ˌsər-kəm-ˈsi-zhən  ˈsər-kəm-ˌsi- 

1

a

: the act of circumcising

especially : the cutting off of the foreskin of males that is practiced as a religious rite by Jews and Muslims and by others as a social custom or for potential health benefits (such as improved hygiene)

b

: female genital mutilation

c

: the condition of being circumcised

2

capitalized : January 1 observed as a festival in some churches in commemoration of the circumcision of Jesus

Examples of circumcision in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In another, a woman deals with her son's painful circumcision. —Andrew Limbong, NPR, 20 May 2025

The spokesperson listed specific programs that the Trump administration considered wasteful, including $750,000 to reduce xenophobia in Venezuela, $67,000 for feeding insect powder to children in Madagascar and $3 million for circumcision, vasectomies and condoms in Zambia. —Josh Boak, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025

Already in the first episode, in her very first interaction with a congregant, Léa has to defend one of the most primitive forms of religious practice: circumcision. —Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 1 June 2025

The plate said something about being a mohel, a person who performs circumcisions. —Elana Rabinowitz, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for circumcision

• cablevision
• imprecision
• indecision
• subdivision
• supervision
• television
• abscission
• collision
• decision
• derision
• division
• elision

Kids Definition

circumcision

noun

cir·​cum·​ci·​sion ˌsər-kəm-ˈsizh-ən 

ˈsər-kəm-ˌsizh-

1

: the act of circumcising or being circumcised

especially : a Jewish rite performed on male infants as a sign of inclusion in the covenant between God and Abraham

2

capitalized : January 1 observed as a festival in some churches in honor of the circumcision of Jesus

Medical Definition

circumcision

noun

cir·​cum·​ci·​sion ˌsər-kəm-ˈsizh-ən 

1

: the act of circumcising:

a

: the cutting off of the foreskin of males that is practiced as a religious rite by Jews and Muslims and by others as a social custom or for potential health benefits (as improved hygiene)

b

: female genital mutilation

2

: the condition of being circumcised