plastic surgery

noun

: a branch of surgery concerned with improving the function or appearance of parts of the body through reconstructive or cosmetic medical procedures
also : a procedure performed for such a purpose

Note: Reconstructive plastic surgery deals mainly with the surgical repair or restoration of an injured, lost, diseased, defective, or misshapen part or area. It typically involves the grafting of tissue (such as skin or cartilage) from one part of the body to another. Cosmetic or aesthetic plastic surgery focuses on enhancing appearance and includes surgical procedures (such as blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, and breast augmentation) as well as nonsurgical procedures (such as chemical peels and botulinum toxin injections).

Examples of plastic surgery in a Sentence

He needed plastic surgery on his face after the car accident.
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.
Setting the Standard for the Future ARC Plastic Surgery’s mission is to set a higher standard for plastic surgery in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with long-lasting and natural results. Matt Emma, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025 In doing his research for plastic surgery, Dale looked into doctors all over the world, from Thailand to Colombia. Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025 The practice focuses solely on facial plastic surgery. Jessica Peralta, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025 After all, this is the woman who makes constant headlines for her ageless skin (which, according to Stewart, has no help from Botox or plastic surgery) and, not to mention, graced the cover of Sports Illustrated. Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for plastic surgery

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1837, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of plastic surgery was circa 1837

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Cite this Entry

“Plastic surgery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plastic%20surgery. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

plastic surgery

noun
: surgery concerned with the repair or improvement of lost, injured, defective, or misshapen parts of the body

Medical Definition

plastic surgery

noun
: a branch of surgery concerned with improving the function or appearance of parts of the body through reconstructive or cosmetic medical procedures
also : a procedure performed for such a purpose

Note: Reconstructive plastic surgery deals mainly with the surgical repair or restoration of an injured, lost, diseased, defective, or misshapen part or area. It typically involves the grafting of tissue (such as skin or cartilage) from one part of the body to another. Cosmetic or aesthetic plastic surgery focuses on enhancing appearance and includes surgical procedures (such as blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, and breast augmentation) as well as nonsurgical procedures (such as chemical peels and botulinum toxin injections).

More from Merriam-Webster on plastic surgery

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