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

The flyer found at the synagogue, Nisanov said, referred to bris, the Jewish rite of circumcision. —Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 20 Aug. 2025

Last said the only time her baby wasn’t with her was when he was taken for screenings, circumcision and an immunization. —Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 31 July 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

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