circumcision

noun

cir·​cum·​ci·​sion ˌsər-kəm-ˈsi-zhən 

ˈsər-kəm-ˌsi-

1

a

: the act of circumcising

especially : the cutting off of the foreskin of males that is practiced as a religious rite by Jews and Muslims and by others as a social custom or for potential health benefits (such as improved hygiene)

b

: female genital mutilation

c

: the condition of being circumcised

2

capitalized : January 1 observed as a festival in some churches in commemoration of the circumcision of Jesus

Examples of circumcision in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the complaint, the circumcision in question happened last May 25. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 12 June 2024

In 1997, the World Health Organization classified FGM (also sometimes known as female circumcision or FGC), into four different types of procedures, which can vary further through subtypes entailing the partial or total removal of clitoral glans. —Astha Rajvanshi, TIME, 23 May 2024

Even though the circumcision is done without any painkillers. —Nurith Aizenman, NPR, 12 May 2024

Not surprisingly given the film’s below-the-belt bent, a circumcision gag follows, while Rod has to vamp his way through all the fabulous attributes the trio have ascribed to Stanicky through the years. —Brian Lowry, CNN, 6 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

circumcision

noun

cir·​cum·​ci·​sion ˌsər-kəm-ˈsizh-ən 

ˈsər-kəm-ˌsizh-

1

: the act of circumcising or being circumcised

especially : a Jewish rite performed on male infants as a sign of inclusion in the covenant between God and Abraham

2

capitalized : January 1 observed as a festival in some churches in honor of the circumcision of Jesus

Medical Definition

circumcision

noun

cir·​cum·​ci·​sion ˌsər-kəm-ˈsizh-ən 

1

: the act of circumcising:

a

: the cutting off of the foreskin of males that is practiced as a religious rite by Jews and Muslims and by others as a social custom or for potential health benefits (as improved hygiene)

b

: female genital mutilation

2

: the condition of being circumcised