incision

noun

in·​ci·​sion in-ˈsi-zhən 

1

a

: cut, gash

specifically : a wound made especially in surgery by incising the body

b

: a marginal notch (as in a leaf)

2

: an act of incising something

a surgeon's skillful incision

3

: the quality or state of being incisive

Synonyms of incision

• slit
• tear

Examples of incision in a Sentence

the surgeon made a thin incision with the scalpel

Recent Examples on the Web

Closed rhinoplasty minimizes external incisions and can reduce recovery time. —Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026

At the time, the operation required incisions in both legs and the abdomen to open up the whole artery, and 50% of cases resulted in amputation or death. —Jeff Suess, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Feb. 2026

The average for a cesarean section, which requires an incision of the abdominal and uterine walls for the baby to be delivered, was $2,596. —Angela Palermo february 1, Idaho Statesman, 1 Feb. 2026

As for wound care, every surgeon has their own protocols, but most recommend avoiding sun exposure and keeping the incision coated with an antibiotic ointment or a salve like Aquaphor. —Jolene Edgar, Allure, 27 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for incision

• abscission
• collision
• decision
• derision
• division
• elision
• envision
• excision
• misprision
• precision
• prevision
• provision

Kids Definition

incision

noun

in·​ci·​sion in-ˈsizh-ən 

1

: a cut or gash made in something

especially : a cut made into the body during surgery

removed the diseased appendix through a small incision

2

: an act of cutting into something

watched the surgeon's skillful incision

Medical Definition

incision

noun

in·​ci·​sion in-ˈsizh-ən 

1

: a cut or wound of body tissue made especially in surgery

2

: an act of incising something

the surgeon's incision of the tissues