What does surgery mean?
Surgery is the treatment of injury or disease through operations performed on the body, and it can also name the medical specialty that specializes in such procedures. In general usage, the word often refers to an operation itself, as in emergency surgery, minor surgery, or corrective surgery, while in phrases such as “the field of surgery” it refers more broadly to the discipline and its body of knowledge. The term has additional regional meanings: in British English, a doctor's consulting room can be called a surgery, especially when discussing where an appointment will take place. Although surgery is strongly associated with hospitals, operating rooms, and highly trained surgical teams, it remains one of the central branches of modern medicine. Understanding the word also helps distinguish operative treatment from diagnosis, medication, and other forms of care that do not involve an operation.
nounThe medical treatment of injuries or diseases by operating on the body. The term can also refer to the branch of medicine concerned with operations, or, chiefly in British English, a doctor's consulting room.
- Medical treatment involving an operation or operative procedures.
- The branch of medicine concerned with operations and the treatment of injuries or disease.
- A doctor's consulting room, especially in British English.
"The patient underwent surgery after a scan revealed a torn ligament."
"The surgeon recommended surgery, but the patient decided to try physical therapy first."
"The specialist's surgery is open on weekday mornings."
Used for separate operations or instances of surgical treatment, and for doctors' consulting rooms when the British regional sense is intended.
"The hospital performs hundreds of surgeries each week."
The word surgery literally means “work of the hand,” a fitting description of medicine's oldest reliance on skilled manual procedures.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does surgery come from?
The word entered English in the late Middle English period through Old French surgerie, from Latin chirurgia. Latin borrowed the term from Greek kheirourgeia, a compound of kheir, “hand,” and ergon, “work,” referring to the work performed with the hands. The modern meaning developed within the history of medicine as surgical procedures became increasingly formalized and specialized.
Related word forms
How surgery is actually used
In formal medical contexts, surgery often means operative treatment as opposed to diagnosis, medication, or other non-operative care. In British English, surgery can also mean a doctor's office; the corresponding American term is usually office. “Surgery” may refer to the treatment, the medical specialty, or a particular session of medical care.