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Definition of colostomy

colostomy

/kəˈlɑː.stə.mi/
co · los · to · my
Plural:colostomies
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colostomy Lexical Profile

colostomy Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A surgical operation in which a portion of the large intestine (colon) is brought through an incision in the abdominal wall to create an artificial opening for the elimination of fecal waste.

Example

"Following the removal of the damaged section of his bowel, the patient underwent a temporary colostomy to allow the remaining tissue to heal."

2

The artificial opening (stoma) in the abdominal wall created by such a surgical procedure.

Example

"The visiting nurse showed him how to clean and care for his colostomy using specialized medical supplies."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for colostomy

Word Nuance & Usage

Do not confuse with 'colonoscopy' (a diagnostic examination of the colon using a flexible camera) or 'colectomy' (the surgical removal of all or part of the colon).

• Rhymes for colostomy

• Nearby Words

colosseum
colossians
colossus
colostomy
colt
coltish
columbia

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 19th century as a medical compound from Ancient Greek 'kōlon' (large intestine) and '-stomia' (from 'stoma', meaning 'mouth' or 'opening').

Cite this Entry

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