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Definition of appendectomy

appendectomy

/ˌæp.ənˈdɛk.tə.mi/
(UK: appendicectomy)
ap · pen · dec · to · my
Plural:appendectomies
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appendectomy Lexical Profile

appendectomy Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

North American A surgical operation to remove the vermiform appendix, typically performed as an emergency procedure to treat acute appendicitis.

Example

"The patient was rushed into the operating room for an emergency appendectomy before the inflamed appendix could rupture."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for appendectomy

Word Nuance & Usage

In British and Commonwealth English, this procedure is typically called an 'appendicectomy', whereas 'appendectomy' is standard in North American English.

• Rhymes for appendectomy

• Nearby Words

appellate
append
appendage
appendectomy
appendicitis
appendix
appetite

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 19th century in American medical nomenclature by combining 'appendix' (from Latin 'appendere', meaning 'to hang upon') with the suffix '-ectomy' (from Ancient Greek 'ektomē', meaning 'excision' or 'a cutting out').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Appendectomy. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/appendectomy
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