mutilation

noun

mu·​ti·​la·​tion ˌmyü-tə-ˈlā-shən 

plural mutilations

1

: an act or instance of destroying, removing, or severely damaging a limb or other body part of a person or animal

the mutilation of a body

They were men who had been sexually damaged by disease, accident, or deliberate mutilation.

—James J. O'Donnell

His book contains very many gruesome accounts of murder and mutilation, and page after page describing torture in almost salacious detail.

—Geoffrey Wheatcroft

see also female genital mutilation

2

: an act or instance of damaging or altering something radically

Evidence suggests that the mutilation of the sculptures was deliberate.

Thus an author has the right of paternity (authorship) and integrity (the right to object to derogatory actions, distortion, mutilation or other modifications in relation to his or her work that would be prejudicial to the artist's honor or reputation).

—Judith Nierman

Critics described the proposed structure as a "vast pile of masonry" that they feared would never be removed and would become a "permanent mutilation of Hyde Park."

—Henry Petroski

Examples of mutilation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

She was tried again in 2006 and convicted of manslaughter, mutilation and weapons charges and sentenced to 13 to 45 years in prison with the possibility of parole. —Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024

Thierry took a stand against a medical industry profiting off of gender mutilation of minors, voting with Republicans to ban the practice in Texas. —Bethany Blankley | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 13 Dec. 2024

The official website states farm animals face significant abuses, including severe confinement; painful mutilations without anesthesia; and selective breeding for excessive production that harms their well-being. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024

Her prison records also reveal that she was sanctioned for drugs and mutilation. —Sean Keane, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1517, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mutilation

• female genital mutilation
• self-mutilation

Medical Definition

mutilation

noun

mu·​ti·​la·​tion ˌmyüt-ᵊl-ˈā-shən 

1

: deprivation of a limb or essential part especially by excision

the mutilation of a body

2

: an instance of mutilating