noun
surgery
SUR-juh-ree
noun
1
A medical operation that involves cutting into the body to treat an illness or injury.
"She underwent surgery to repair her knee."
"The surgery lasted longer than expected."
2
UK: a doctor's office, or the scheduled hours when a doctor or politician sees people.
"The GP's surgery is open until six on weekdays."
How to Use Surgery
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn operation to treat the body, or (in British English) a doctor's or MP's office/appointment hours.
UK vs US
In UK English, "surgery" can also mean a doctor's office or a politician's local appointment hours — a sense American English doesn't use.
Common pairings
undergo surgery
have surgery
a surgery appointment
Word Forms
surgeries plural
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She underwent _____ to repair her knee.
Etymology
From Old French surgerie, tracing back to Ancient Greek kheirourgia ("hand-work"), the same root as "surgeon".