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

There would be a smaller incision, almost like a poke for an IV. —Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 13 May 2026

In a deep plane approach, the surgeon makes an incision directly within the muscle layer to lift skin, fat and muscle as one unit. —Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026

For most patients, a surgery does not begin with an incision or end when they are wheeled out of the operating room. —Nandan Lad, Time, 27 Apr. 2026

First, Fitzpatrick underwent a minimally invasive operation to remove his kidney through a small incision. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 25 Apr. 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