surgery
Pluralsurgeries
- 1A medical operation, usually done by cutting into the body, to fix, remove, or replace a part.
Like a mechanic opening up an engine to fix a broken part inside: but the body is the engine.
The doctor said she needs surgery on her knee.
He spent several weeks recovering after surgery.
UsageSay have surgery or surgery on your knee. A doctor performs it.
Similaroperation
- 2The area of medicine where doctors operate on people to treat illness or injury.
Like one subject in a school: this is the part of medicine all about operations.
She wants to study surgery after medical school.
He chose surgery as his specialty.
UsageSay study surgery or work in surgery.
- 3Big, deep changes made to something to fix or improve it.
The team's lineup needs major surgery before next season.
The budget needs serious surgery if the company wants to survive.
UsageOften major surgery: the plan needs major surgery.
Similaroverhaul, restructuring, reform
Note
- 4A room or part of a hospital where operations are done.
Like a kitchen, but built for operations instead of cooking.
Take the elevator up to surgery on the fourth floor.
The nurses rushed him through the doors and into surgery.
UsageOften with no the: go into surgery.
- 5A local office where a doctor, dentist or vet sees and treats patients.
Like a small clinic in your neighborhood where you go to see the doctor.
She booked an appointment at the surgery for Monday morning.
The village surgery is open only three days a week.
UsageSay go to the surgery. In the US people say doctor's office.
Less common meanings
- 6The set hours when a doctor, dentist or vet is available to see patients.
Like a store's opening hours, but for visiting a doctor.
Morning surgery runs from eight until eleven.
The doctor holds surgery every weekday afternoon.
UsageOften with a time of day: morning surgery.
Note
- 7A set time when a politician or other official meets local people to hear their concerns.
Like waiting your turn to talk to someone who can help, one person at a time.
The MP holds a surgery in the town hall every Friday morning.
Constituents queued outside the surgery to speak with their representative.
UsageSay a politician holds a surgery.
Note
- 8A fast, planned bankruptcy that is mostly arranged before it officially starts.
- 9In math, making a new shape by cutting out parts of one shape and gluing in matching parts from others.
Practice
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Origin
It comes from a Greek word meaning "hand work," from the Greek words for "hand" and "work." It reached English through Latin and Old French.
Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- Surgery ultimately comes from a Greek word meaning hand work. en.wiktionary.org
- Its Greek roots mean hand and work. en.wiktionary.org
- The word reached English through Latin and Old French. en.wiktionary.org