: of, relating to, or performed on a heart temporarily stopped and relieved of circulatory function and surgically opened for repair of defects or damage
open-heart surgery

Examples of open-heart in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Walker was born with congenital heart defects and has undergone multiple surgeries and procedures throughout his life, including two open-heart surgeries. Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026 The family of Stephen Nolte, a Navy veteran who died at 71 after contracting a bacterial infection following open-heart surgery at The University of Kansas Hospital, testified in Wyandotte County District Court about his life and agonizing decline. Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026 She was born with a congenial heart defect that required her to have open-heart surgery in the first week of her life. Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2026 Cantrell had both options explained to him by his care team, who recommended the open-heart option. Kerry Breen, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for open-heart

Word History

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of open-heart was in 1959

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Cite this Entry

“Open-heart.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/open-heart. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

open-heart

adjective
: of, relating to, or done on a heart temporarily stopped and surgically opened for repair of defects or damage
open-heart surgery

Medical Definition

open-heart

adjective
: of, relating to, or performed on a heart temporarily stopped and relieved of circulatory function and surgically opened for repair of defects or damage
open-heart surgery
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