female genital mutilation

noun

: a procedure performed especially as a cultural rite that typically includes the total or partial excision of the female external genitalia and especially the clitoris and labia minora and that is now outlawed in many nations including the U.S.

—abbreviation FGM

called also female circumcision

compare infibulation

Examples of female genital mutilation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Two men who say they were injured by the procedure as infants want Colorado’s law forbidding female genital mutilation to also prohibit male circumcision. —Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 10 June 2026

For six years survivors of female genital mutilation have been calling on lawmakers to ban the practice, testifying about the painful emotional and physical consequences of the traditional custom prohibited in 41 other states. —Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2026

An 8-year old rescued from female genital mutilation recovers at the Kalas Girls School in Amudat District, Uganda. —Forbes.com, 6 Feb. 2026

Halfway through college, Russell spent two months in Tanzania assisting a nonprofit that taught female genital mutilation survivors how to make clothes to support themselves. —Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1979, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for female genital mutilation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Medical Definition

female genital mutilation

noun

: a procedure performed especially as a cultural rite that typically includes the total or partial excision of the female external genitalia and especially the clitoris and labia minora and that is now outlawed in many nations including the United States

—abbreviation FGM

called also female circumcision

compare infibulation