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

Removing and replacing the implant, however, uses the same incision sites, and can be performed in under two hours. —Elizabeth Siegel, Allure, 20 Mar. 2026

Protection Your pillow should prop up your arms and keep them away from any tender areas or incision sites for protection. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026

Her incision looked like an upside-down T and required a wound vac, a portable machine that helps incisions close more quickly. —CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026

Rotator cuff repairs are typically done arthroscopically, a minimally invasive surgery that involves using a camera and small instruments through tiny incisions to repair problems with the shoulder joint. —NBC news, 11 Mar. 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