ostomy

noun

os·​to·​my ˈä-stə-mē How to pronounce ostomy (audio)
plural ostomies
: an operation (such as a colostomy) to create an artificial passage for bodily elimination

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Starting around age 12, Cheng fed her grandmother lunch, managed her ostomy bag, tucked her in for afternoon naps and walked with her to church on Sundays. Lauren J. Mapp, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2023 The company refuses to retouch photos and includes models of all types in their marketing, from models with ostomy bags to disabilities. Emmy Lucas, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2023 Approximately 1 in 500 Americans live with an ostomy, the organization reports. Stephanie Emma Pfeffer, Peoplemag, 14 Feb. 2023 The surgery rerouted her intestines so waste now passes through a small opening in her abdomen, into an ostomy bag, which Welch named Stanley to help her family adjust to the change. Isabella Cueto, STAT, 8 July 2022 Each year, about 100,000 ostomy surgeries are performed. Colleen Murphy, Health.com, 29 Nov. 2021 An ostomy that redirects urine is called a urostomy. Colleen Murphy, Health.com, 29 Nov. 2021 So Chief Navy Counselor Grant Khanbalinov lay still, alone in his bed all day, hoping his ostomy bag wouldn’t burst while his wife was at work, managing a dental office in Virginia. Washington Post, 22 Nov. 2021 Twinley regularly shares positive messages and photos on Instagram of herself in lingerie to try to normalize ostomy bags. Korin Miller, Health.com, 4 Oct. 2021 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ostomy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

colostomy

First Known Use

1957, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ostomy was in 1957

Dictionary Entries Near ostomy

Cite this Entry

“Ostomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ostomy. Accessed 4 Jun. 2023.

Medical Definition

ostomy

noun
os·​to·​my ˈäs-tə-mē How to pronounce ostomy (audio)
plural ostomies
: an operation (as a colostomy, ileostomy, or urostomy) to create an artificial passage for bodily elimination

More from Merriam-Webster on ostomy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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