scalpel

noun

scal·​pel ˈskal-pəl 

also

skal-ˈpel 

: a small straight thin-bladed knife used especially in surgery

Examples of scalpel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

From afar, the 915-foot tower’s distinctive sloped roof cut through the Midtown skyline like a scalpel. —Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025

The derm version involves a surgical scalpel, applied with steady pressure to remove layers of dead skin cells and peach fuzz for the ultimate exfoliation treatment. —Sarah Y. Wu, Glamour, 23 July 2025

But the Bears will also ask their starting quarterback to don the OR scrubs regularly, needing to become precise with the scalpel as a surgeon of opposing defenses. —Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025

Opponents of the bill argue that in their quest for affordability, supporters have either picked the wrong villain — or, at the very least, approached the problem with a sledgehammer when what’s needed is a scalpel. —Ben Christopher, Mercury News, 16 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin scalpellus, scalpellum, diminutive of scalper, scalprum chisel, knife, from scalpere to scratch, carve

First Known Use

1742, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for scalpel

• palpal

Kids Definition

scalpel

noun

scal·​pel ˈskal-pəl 

 also  skal-ˈpel

: a small straight thin-bladed knife used especially in surgery

Medical Definition

scalpel

noun

scal·​pel

ˈskal-pəl also skal-ˈpel

: a small straight thin-bladed knife used especially in surgery