gastrectomy

noun

gas·​trec·​to·​my ga-ˈstrek-tə-mē 

plural gastrectomies

: surgical removal of all or part of the stomach

Did you know?

Gastr- comes from the Greek word for "belly", and shows up in English in such words as gastric ("relating to the stomach") and gastronomy ("the cooking and eating of fine food"). Believe it or not, there are many people today who have had a gastrectomy and live without a stomach; some of them need to eat fairly steadily and carefully through the day, but many lead almost completely normal and even vigorous lives.

Examples of gastrectomy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

People who have had GI surgery: People who have undergone a gastrectomy (removal of a portion of the stomach) or gastric bypass may lose the ability to absorb vitamin B12 properly. —Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 13 May 2025

It is also called a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy or sleeve gastrectomy. —Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 25 Apr. 2025

However, following the surgery — called a gastrectomy — changes in diet and activity need to be made as the body adjusts. —Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025

After a gastrectomy, people need to eat smaller more frequent meals. —Wendy Grossman Kantor, People.com, 27 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for gastrectomy

• colectomy
• cystectomy
• lobectomy
• mastectomy
• nephrectomy
• splenectomy
• thymectomy
• vasectomy
• vitrectomy
• adrenalectomy
• cholecystectomy
• endarterectomy

Medical Definition

gastrectomy

noun

gas·​trec·​to·​my ga-ˈstrek-tə-mē 

plural gastrectomies

: surgical removal of all or part of the stomach