incision

noun

in·​ci·​sion in-ˈsi-zhən 

1

a

: cut, gash

specifically : a wound made especially in surgery by incising the body

b

: a marginal notch (as in a leaf)

2

: an act of incising something

a surgeon's skillful incision

3

: the quality or state of being incisive

Synonyms of incision

• slit
• tear

Examples of incision in a Sentence

the surgeon made a thin incision with the scalpel

Recent Examples on the Web

These systems are widely considered a potential future alternative to some forms of minimally invasive surgery, possibly enabling procedures in hard-to-reach locations without large incisions or bulky surgical instruments. —New Atlas, 8 June 2026

The minimally invasive technique uses small needle punctures instead of larger surgical incisions, which can help reduce pain and speed up recovery for patients. —Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 7 June 2026

The cosmetic surgery, which takes approximately one hour, removes the fat via a small incision inside the cheek, below the saliva duct. —Edward Segarra, USA Today, 4 June 2026

Both procedures require incisions inside the nose, but an open rhinoplasty adds that small columellar incision. —Jolene Edgar, Allure, 4 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for incision

• abscission
• collision
• decision
• derision
• division
• elision
• envision
• excision
• misprision
• precision
• prevision
• provision

Kids Definition

incision

noun

in·​ci·​sion in-ˈsizh-ən 

1

: a cut or gash made in something

especially : a cut made into the body during surgery

removed the diseased appendix through a small incision

2

: an act of cutting into something

watched the surgeon's skillful incision

Medical Definition

incision

noun

in·​ci·​sion in-ˈsizh-ən 

1

: a cut or wound of body tissue made especially in surgery

2

: an act of incising something

the surgeon's incision of the tissues