tracheostomy

noun

tra·​che·​os·​to·​my ˌtrā-kē-ˈä-stə-mē 

plural tracheostomies

: the surgical formation of an opening into the trachea through the neck especially to allow the passage of air

Examples of tracheostomy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

From April through June 2025, fewer than 10% of nursing homes had long-stay residents breathing with the assistance of invasive mechanical ventilators, which deliver air through a tube down the airway or via a tracheostomy, the analysis found. —Jordan Rau, NPR, 29 Nov. 2025

Although his health continued to improve, Gabriel was diagnosed with chronic lung disease and by April 2025, Caroline and Garreth were informed that their son needed a tracheostomy to live. —Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025

And one of Merton’s sons, while in the NICU, started having trouble breathing, so doctors placed a tracheostomy tube into his neck. —Luke Chinman, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025

Or the public testimonies from people with tracheostomies begging kids not to smoke? —John Samuels, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1923, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tracheostomy

• potawatomi
• bonhomie
• naomi
• salome
• colostomy
• lobotomy
• foamy
• homey
• komi
• loamy

Medical Definition

tracheostomy

noun

tra·​che·​os·​to·​my ˌtrā-kē-ˈäst-ə-mē 

plural tracheostomies

: the surgical formation of an opening into the trachea through the neck especially to allow the passage of air

also : the opening itself