appendectomy
noun
ap·pen·dec·to·my
ˌa-pən-ˈdek-tə-mē 
ˌa-ˌpen-
plural appendectomies
: surgical removal of the vermiform appendix
Did you know?
The appendix is a tiny tube attached to the large intestine that no longer has any real function. Appendicitis—inflammation and swelling of the appendix, usually as a result of bacterial infection—generally occurs between the ages of 10 and 19, and is the most common reason for emergency surgery in the U.S. today. Since the appendix has so little to do, appendectomies normally have no negative aftereffects at all. If appendicitis is ignored, bacteria may enter the blood and infect other parts of the body.
Examples of appendectomy in a Sentence
The surgeon performed an appendectomy on her.
Recent Examples on the Web
Embiid missed the team's first three playoff games after having an appendectomy in early April.
—
Laura Fay, CBS News, 6 May 2026
Embiid underwent an emergency appendectomy in April, causing the former NBA MVP to miss the first three games of the Sixers’ first-round series against the Boston Celtics.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 5 May 2026
Embiid, whose Game 4 return from an appendectomy flipped the series in Philly’s favor, drew 14 fouls in Game 7.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 4 May 2026
Embiid, a 7-foot-0, 280-pound, 32-year-old native of Cameroon who won league MVP honors in 2023, participated in some of the Sixers’ drills just 15 days removed from emergency appendectomy surgery.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
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Laura Fay, CBS News, 6 May 2026
Embiid underwent an emergency appendectomy in April, causing the former NBA MVP to miss the first three games of the Sixers’ first-round series against the Boston Celtics.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 5 May 2026
Embiid, whose Game 4 return from an appendectomy flipped the series in Philly’s favor, drew 14 fouls in Game 7.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 4 May 2026
Embiid, a 7-foot-0, 280-pound, 32-year-old native of Cameroon who won league MVP honors in 2023, participated in some of the Sixers’ drills just 15 days removed from emergency appendectomy surgery.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for appendectomy
Cite this Entry
“Appendectomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appendectomy. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
appendectomy
noun
ap·pen·dec·to·my
ˌap-ən-ˈdek-tə-mē
ˌap-ˌen-
plural appendectomies
: surgical removal of the human appendix
Medical Definition
appendectomy
noun
ap·pen·dec·to·my
ˌap-ən-ˈdek-tə-mē
plural appendectomies
: surgical removal of the vermiform appendix
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