laryngectomy

noun

lar·​yn·​gec·​to·​my ˌler-ən-ˈjek-tə-ˌmē 

ˌla-rən-

plural laryngectomies

: surgical removal of all or part of the larynx

laryngectomized

ˌler-ən-ˈjek-tə-ˌmīzd 

ˌla-rən-

adjective

Examples of laryngectomy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This technology could benefit people with injuries and diseases involving vocal fold paralysis, as well as those who have had surgeries like laryngectomies—removal of the larynx, which contains the vibrating muscles—that involve the removal of some or all of a person’s vocal folds. —IEEE Spectrum, 23 Mar. 2024

If not, his doctors are advising a total laryngectomy, or surgical removal of his larynx, which would leave him unable to speak. —Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC news, 11 Aug. 2023

For patients who lose their ability to speak after a laryngectomy, there are currently three speech rehabilitation options, according to Yvonne Knapp, a speech-language pathologist at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City. —Michelle Cohan, CNN, 22 Mar. 2022

Ogitsu had a laryngectomy, a surgery in which all or part of the larynx -- also known as the voice box -- is removed. —Michelle Cohan, CNN, 22 Mar. 2022

In March 2018, the McDowell Intermediate High School teacher had a partial laryngectomy, a surgical procedure to remove a portion of her voice box. —Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 5 Oct. 2019

Kuzma had a total laryngectomy in September 2018, per GoErie.com, along with 30 radiation and five chemotherapy treatments. —Korin Miller, Health.com, 8 Oct. 2019

Kuzma then had a total laryngectomy at the Cleveland Clinic and underwent 30 radiation and five chemotherapy treatments. —Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 5 Oct. 2019

He was beset by health problems (cancer of the jaw, a heart attack, cancer of the larynx and a laryngectomy), which must have been not only excruciatingly painful but also socially mortifying. —Brad Leithauser, WSJ, 29 Mar. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1888, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for laryngectomy

• appendectomy
• hepatectomy
• hysterectomy
• iridectomy
• laminectomy
• oophorectomy
• pneumonectomy
• prostatectomy
• sympathectomy
• thyroidectomy
• tonsillectomy
• adrenalectomy

Medical Definition

laryngectomy

noun

lar·​yn·​gec·​to·​my -ˈjek-tə-mē 

plural laryngectomies

: surgical removal of all or part of the larynx

laryngectomized

-tə-ˌmīzd 

adjective