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

These smaller incisions are intended to reduce scalp trauma and support healing, though recovery varies by patient. — Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026

Chlorine doesn't magically seal a shaving nick, scraped knee, or healing surgical incision. — Angela Haupt, Time, 20 July 2026

But three weeks later, Tighe arrived at the emergency room with a fever, and fluid leaking from his surgery incision. — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 16 July 2026

Surgeons opted for a laparoscopic procedure, making small incisions to insert tools to fortify the abdominal wall. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 9 July 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