surgical mask

noun

plural surgical masks
: a rectangular-shaped face mask (as of fabric or polypropylene fiber) that is typically secured by two straps tied in the back of head and is intended to be worn by medical personnel during surgical procedures especially to protect the wearer against splashes or splatters of blood or body fluid and to prevent contamination of the patient's surgical wounds
We all know that the human mouth, in microbiological terms, is one of the filthiest things on the planet. Hence a device that could keep things from falling out of the surgeon's mouth and into a wound would be highly desirable. Enter the surgical mask: simple and relatively cheap.Howard Seiden
On a Thursday afternoon in mid-December, Dr. Roger Ott Sr. pulled on a pair of latex gloves, a surgical mask and a gown, and stepped into the operating room for a routine surgical procedure.Susan Gwiasda
also : a face mask (such as a procedure mask) that resembles a surgical mask
It used to be that shouting "Fire!" in a crowded theater was the classic panic trigger. Now it's coughing or sneezing. … Until this crisis is over, theaters should hand out surgical masks to all patrons. John Weeks
The fine metal dust that is raised in polishing can be unhealthy if breathed in, so wear a surgical mask while polishing. Reader's Digest Crafts & Hobbies

Examples of surgical mask in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The 20-year-old victim was heading to his apartment near Wyckoff and Flushing avenues at about 8:30 p.m. on July 1 when a young man in a black hoodie and surgical mask attacked him, cops said. Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 13 July 2024 One person waited in the vehicle as a getaway driver, while Bethel, wearing gloves and a surgical mask, and two associates entered the apartment building, officials said. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 16 Feb. 2024 In the face of global shortages, first China; then France, Germany, and the European Union; and finally the United States hoarded supplies of respirators, surgical masks, and gloves for their own hospital workers’ use. Thomas J. Bollyky, Foreign Affairs, 27 July 2020 Videos posted online show cops in riot gear and demonstrators, many either wearing surgical masks or obscuring their faces with headscarves, shoving each other in the smoke. Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 29 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for surgical mask 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'surgical mask.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of surgical mask was in 1916

Dictionary Entries Near surgical mask

Cite this Entry

“Surgical mask.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surgical%20mask. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

surgical mask

noun
: a protective mask covering the mouth and nose that is typically secured by two straps tied in the back of head and is intended to be worn by medical personnel during surgical procedures especially to protect the wearer against splashes or splatters of blood or body fluid and to prevent contamination of the patient's surgical wounds

Medical Definition

surgical mask

noun
: a rectangular-shaped face mask (as of fabric or polypropylene fiber) that is typically secured by two straps tied behind the head and that is intended to be worn by medical personnel during surgical procedures especially to protect the wearer against splashes or splatters of body fluids and to prevent contamination of the patient's surgical wounds
Surgical masks have been in widespread use since the early 1900s to help prevent infection of surgical wounds from staff-generated nasal and oral bacteria. Today, surgical masks vary widely in style and intended application and can be found in a broad range of hospital and health care settings.Tara Oberg and Lisa M. Brosseau, American Journal of Infection Control
also : a face mask (such as a {d_link|procedure mask|procedure_mask) that resembles a surgical mask
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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