tracheotomy

noun

tra·​che·​ot·​o·​my ˌtrā-kē-ˈä-tə-mē 

plural tracheotomies

: the surgical operation of cutting into the trachea especially through the skin

Examples of tracheotomy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Following the harrowing experience, which landed him in the hospital, Kilmer learned that the lump in his throat was cancer, later undergoing a tracheotomy, chemotherapy and radiation. —Bailey Richards, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025

The actor permanently lost his voice after undergoing a tracheotomy to treat the cancer but continued to act and write. —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025

Kilmer underwent a tracheotomy that left him without the ability to speak naturally. —Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025

By the time the sequel was filmed, the actor had undergone a tracheotomy impacting his ability to speak, a factor that was incorporated into the movie. —Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1726, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tracheotomy

• episiotomy
• laparotomy
• osteotomy
• thoracotomy
• craniotomy
• dichotomy
• lithotomy
• phlebotomy
• tenotomy
• vagotomy
• ovariotomy

Medical Definition

tracheotomy

noun

tra·​che·​ot·​o·​my ˌtrā-kē-ˈät-ə-mē 

plural tracheotomies

1

: the surgical operation of cutting into the trachea especially through the skin

2

: the opening created by a tracheotomy