infibulation

noun

in·fib·u·la·tion | \ (ˌ)in-ˌfi-byə-ˈlā-shən

Definition of infibulation

: extreme female genital mutilation involving complete excision of the clitoris, labia minora, and most of the labia majora followed by stitching to close up most of the vagina

Examples of infibulation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Like many in Sudan, Ms. Ali was subjected to an extreme form of FGM known as infibulation, which involves the cutting and repositioning of the labia, sometimes through stitching, to narrow the vaginal opening. — Samy Magdy And Mariam Fam, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 July 2020 Data also suggest Somalia families have switched from infibulation to less severe forms of the ritual. — Fox News, 20 May 2020 The cutting ranges from a clitoridectomy, partial to total removal of the clitoris, to infibulation, removal of all the external genitalia. — Kristina Arriaga, WSJ, 24 Aug. 2017 Since 2014 though,the most severe form of infibulation has been illegal in the Puntland region - thanks to a Presidential decree. — Hawa Aden Mohamed For Cnn, CNN, 5 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'infibulation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Learn More About infibulation

Dictionary Entries Near infibulation

infestuous

infibulation

inficete

Statistics for infibulation

Cite this Entry

“Infibulation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infibulation. Accessed 27 May. 2022.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

More Definitions for infibulation

infibulation

noun

in·fib·u·la·tion | \ (ˌ)in-ˌfib-yə-ˈlā-shən

Medical Definition of infibulation

: an act or practice of fastening by ring, clasp, or stitches the labia majora in girls and the foreskin in boys in order to prevent sexual intercourse especially : extreme female genital mutilation involving complete excision of the clitoris, labia minora, and most of the labia majora followed by stitching to close up most of the vagina