What does cesarean mean?
A cesarean, more fully called a cesarean section, is a major surgical procedure in which a baby is delivered through incisions made in the mother's abdomen and uterus, rather than through vaginal birth. The word also works as an adjective, appearing in phrases like 'cesarean delivery' or 'cesarean rate.' Performed under regional or general anesthesia, it may be planned in advance for medical reasons or carried out urgently during labor when complications make vaginal delivery unsafe. In everyday speech, especially American English, it is often shortened to 'C-section.' Spelling varies by region: 'cesarean' is standard in the United States, while 'caesarean' predominates in Britain. Though now routine and generally safe in modern medicine, the term carries connotations of significant surgery and recovery time compared with natural birth. Its name famously links it to Julius Caesar, though the historical accuracy of that connection remains debated, giving the word a memorable classical pedigree alongside its thoroughly modern clinical use.
A surgical operation for delivering a baby by making incisions in the mother's abdominal wall and uterus.
"After hours of stalled labor, the obstetrician recommended an emergency cesarean."
Often shortened to 'C-section' in informal speech.
Relating to, performed by, or resulting from a cesarean section.
"She opted for a planned cesarean birth at thirty-nine weeks."
Usually appears attributively before a noun such as 'birth,' 'delivery,' or 'scar'.
Standard plural, used when referring to multiple instances of the procedure.
"The clinic performs over three thousand cesareans each year."
The word traces back to Julius Caesar, who legend claims was born by this method — though historians note that Caesar's mother lived long after his birth, which would have been impossible with the surgery of that era.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cesarean
The word derives from the Latin 'Caesus' via 'caedere,' meaning 'to cut,' and is traditionally associated with Julius Caesar, whose family name was long linked by legend to surgical birth. In reality, the connection likely comes from Latin legal texts such as the Lex Caesarea, which reportedly permitted a fetus to be cut from a dying mother's body. English adopted the term as 'caesarean section' around the early 17th century, with modern American spelling settling on 'cesarean.' Cognate forms include 'caesarean' in British usage, and the root 'caedere' also underlies words like 'decide' (to cut off) and 'concise' (cut short).
How cesarean is actually used
In British English typically spelled 'caesarean'; in American English 'cesarean'. Often shortened informally to 'C-section'. Used both as a noun (the operation itself) and attributively as an adjective ('cesarean birth', 'cesarean scar').
Easily confused with cesarean
A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus, whereas a cesarean is an incision through the uterus to deliver a baby, leaving the organ intact.