forceps

noun

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for·ceps | \ ˈfȯr-səps

, -ˌseps \

plural forceps

Definition of forceps

: an instrument for grasping, holding firmly, or exerting traction upon objects especially for delicate operations (as by jewelers or surgeons)

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Examples of forceps in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web To test whether their treatment could bring back some of that resilience, Sinclair and colleagues crushed the optic nerves of mice using forceps and injected a harmless virus into the eye carrying the genes for the three reprogramming factors. — Kelly Servick, Science | AAAS, "Researchers restore lost sight in mice, offering clues to reversing aging," 2 Dec. 2020 The baby’s heart rate was dropping, and so an emergency team came in and pulled him out with forceps. — Ian Johnson, The New York Review of Books, "A Difficult Birth in Britain’s Stressed Health Service," 4 June 2020 Lucas still has a hard time looking to his right—the forceps initially left a huge welt over his right eye. — Ian Johnson, The New York Review of Books, "A Difficult Birth in Britain’s Stressed Health Service," 4 June 2020 This could mean a shot of medication called Pitocin (a synthetic hormone that can strengthen and speed up uterine contractions), an episiotomy (a surgical incision made to enlarge the vaginal opening) or the use of forceps to help deliver the baby. — New York Times, "5 Common Childbirth Complications," 18 Apr. 2020 As a test, the researchers tried to replicate the bumblebee damage in additional plants with forceps and a razor. — Jim Daley, Scientific American, "Bumblebees Bite Plants to Force Them to Flower (Seriously)," 21 May 2020 That started to change—for better and for worse—with the invention of the forceps. — Popular Science, "Does coffee make you poop, or is that just me?," 25 Mar. 2020 People who received those piercings may be at increased risk for exposure to bloodborne pathogens due to improper sterilization of metal forceps used in piercing procedures, the health department said. — Amy Huschka, Detroit Free Press, "Tattoo shop in west Michigan may have exposed customers to HIV, hepatitis," 4 Mar. 2020 The operating team attaches to the arms all the necessary devices, from hooks to forceps. — D. T. Max, The New Yorker, "Paging Dr. Robot," 23 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'forceps.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

17 Dec 2020

Cite this Entry

“Forceps.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forceps. Accessed 27 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for forceps

forceps

noun

English Language Learners Definition of forceps

: a medical tool that is used for grasping or holding things

See the full definition for forceps in the English Language Learners Dictionary

forceps

noun

for·ceps | \ ˈfȯr-səps

plural forceps

Kids Definition of forceps

: an instrument for grasping, holding, or pulling on things especially in delicate operations (as by a jeweler or surgeon)

forceps

noun

for·ceps | \ ˈfȯr-səps

, -ˌseps

plural forceps

Medical Definition of forceps

: an instrument for grasping, holding firmly, or exerting traction upon objects especially for delicate operations (as by surgeons, obstetricians, or dentists)