plural surgeries
1
: medical treatment in which a doctor cuts into someone's body in order to repair or remove damaged or diseased parts
He's a specialist in brain surgery.
The doctor has recommended surgery.
He has recently undergone surgery on his shoulder.
The patient is still in surgery. [=still being operated on]
The doctor has been in surgery [=performing an operation] for two hours.
(chiefly US)
She is now recovering from her surgery. [=operation]
a doctor who has performed many surgeries
2
chiefly US
: the area in a hospital where surgery is performed
The patient was taken directly to surgery.
3
British
: a place where a doctor or dentist treats people
I was waiting in the doctor's surgery. [=(US) office]
4
British
: office hours sense 3
5
British
: a special period of time when people can visit a member of the British Parliament to ask questions
Cite this Entry
“Surgery.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/surgery. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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