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

Beyond oncology, Epic Care offers a wide range of specialties, including breast health and surgery, plastic surgery, bariatric surgery, endocrinology, internal medicine, infectious disease, lab services, and ACR accredited diagnostic imaging. —Rowan Briggs, Mercury News, 5 June 2025

But now, as the internet heralds certain celebrities’ plastic surgery results, revealing the details of one’s own procedure(s) provides an opportunity to hold court in a positive light. —Nicola Dall'asen, Allure, 4 June 2025

And Just Like That co-star, Sarah Jessica Parker, who plays Carrie Bradshaw, also addressed plastic surgery rumors in an interview with Vogue in 2021. —Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 29 May 2025

The merch seems to be in reference to the businesswoman's recent plastic surgery. —Catherine Santino, People.com, 6 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1837, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for plastic surgery

• cryosurgery
• microsurgery
• neurosurgery
• psychosurgery
• perjury
• radiosurgery

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).