oophorectomy
noun
oo·pho·rec·to·my
ˌō-ə-fə-ˈrek-tə-mē 
plural oophorectomies
: the surgical removal of an ovary
called also ovariectomy
Examples of oophorectomy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As part of her treatment, Munn underwent a double mastectomy, a partial hysterectomy (the removal of a uterus) and an oophorectomy (removal of one or both ovaries).
—
Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
In still other instances, medical menopause can be permanent, like when both ovaries are removed (a.k.a. oophorectomy), due to large ovarian cysts or gynecologic cancer.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 20 Mar. 2026
Women who took medications to manage their insulin or who had had an oophorectomy or hysterectomy were excluded from this study.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 3 Feb. 2026
Shahi underwent a double mastectomy, deep flap reconstruction and an oophorectomy to remove her ovaries to cut off the hormones fueling the disease.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
The Center for Investigative Reporting, the California state auditor and other investigators uncovered dozens of instances of tubal ligations, hysterectomies and oophorectomies (ovary removals) performed without consent up until 2010.
—San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Feb. 2022
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Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
In still other instances, medical menopause can be permanent, like when both ovaries are removed (a.k.a. oophorectomy), due to large ovarian cysts or gynecologic cancer.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 20 Mar. 2026
Women who took medications to manage their insulin or who had had an oophorectomy or hysterectomy were excluded from this study.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 3 Feb. 2026
Shahi underwent a double mastectomy, deep flap reconstruction and an oophorectomy to remove her ovaries to cut off the hormones fueling the disease.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
The Center for Investigative Reporting, the California state auditor and other investigators uncovered dozens of instances of tubal ligations, hysterectomies and oophorectomies (ovary removals) performed without consent up until 2010.
—San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Feb. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Oophorectomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oophorectomy. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
oophorectomy
noun
oo·pho·rec·to·my
ˌō-ə-fə-ˈrek-tə-mē
plural oophorectomies
: the surgical removal of an ovary
called also ovariectomy
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