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

Circumcision : 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

That was following an investigation of three men on suspicion of performing circumcisions without certified medical training. —Alexander Smith, NBC news, 24 Feb. 2026

This week, Bill White, the US ambassador to Belgium, criticized the country for its approach to Jewish ritual circumcision and accused the country of antisemitism. —Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026

White called on the country to drop investigations against three mohels, or people who perform circumcisions, who were arrested in a raid in Antwerp in May. —Tolu Talabi, The Hill, 17 Feb. 2026

Under Belgian law, circumcision is supposed to be performed by medical professionals, with the country also recently prohibiting Jewish kosher slaughter, or shechita, which requires animals to be conscious at the time of their killing. —Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 16 Feb. 2026

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