What does forceps mean?
Forceps are hinged or pivoted metal instruments resembling a pair of tongs, used to grasp, hold, compress, or extract objects that fingers alone cannot manage safely or precisely. They are among the most familiar tools of medicine and surgery: surgeons use them to manipulate tissue, dentists rely on extraction forceps to remove teeth, and obstetricians may apply obstetric forceps to assist a difficult childbirth. Beyond the clinic, smaller forms appear in laboratories and crafts, where fine-tipped forceps handle tiny specimens. The word derives from Latin, where it named tongs used to handle burning coals, and it entered English in the sixteenth century. Because the noun is plural in form but often refers to a single implement, English speakers commonly say 'a pair of forceps,' much as they do with scissors. The word carries an unmistakably clinical connotation, evoking precision, sterility, and skilled hands at work.
nounForceps are a pair of hinged or pivoted metal pincers or tongs used for grasping, holding, or extracting objects, most commonly in surgery, dentistry, and childbirth.
- A hinged pincer-like surgical instrument used to grasp, hold, compress, or extract tissue, teeth, or other material during medical procedures.
- An obstetric instrument resembling large tongs, applied to a baby's head to assist delivery.
- Any general-purpose pincers or tongs used to grip small or hot objects, as in laboratory work.
"The surgeon picked up a scalpel and forceps from the sterile tray."
"The dentist gripped the molar firmly with her extraction forceps."
"In the biology lab, students handled specimens with fine-tipped forceps to avoid contamination."
The word normally appears only in plural form, so a single instrument is still called 'forceps' or, more clearly, 'a pair of forceps'.
"She sterilised a pair of forceps before the procedure."
The word 'forceps' comes from Latin words thought to mean 'hot tongs' — literally the tool made to grab things too hot, or too delicate, for fingers.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of forceps
Forceps comes directly from Latin 'forceps', meaning a pair of tongs or pincers, originally used for gripping hot coals. The Latin term is traditionally explained as combining 'farcire' or 'ferro' with 'capere' ('to take, seize'), though its precise internal derivation is debated. The word was adopted into English in the sixteenth century, initially in general references to pincers before becoming strongly associated with surgical and obstetric instruments. It shares its root idea with other Latinate words built on 'capere', such as 'capture' and 'captive'.
How forceps is actually used
Plural is usually unchanged ('forceps'), though the Latin-style plural 'forcipes' exists rarely; singular reference to a single instrument can be ambiguous, so speakers often say 'a pair of forceps' even for one tool. The word is largely clinical and technical in register.
Easily confused with forceps
Tweezers are small spring-held implements for picking up tiny objects, whereas forceps are larger, typically hinged instruments designed for firm grasping in medical procedures.