plastic surgery

noun

: a branch of surgery concerned with improving the function or appearance of parts of the body through reconstructive or cosmetic medical procedures

also : a procedure performed for such a purpose

Note: Reconstructive plastic surgery deals mainly with the surgical repair or restoration of an injured, lost, diseased, defective, or misshapen part or area. It typically involves the grafting of tissue (such as skin or cartilage) from one part of the body to another. Cosmetic or aesthetic plastic surgery focuses on enhancing appearance and includes surgical procedures (such as blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, and breast augmentation) as well as nonsurgical procedures (such as chemical peels and botulinum toxin injections).

Examples of plastic surgery in a Sentence

He needed plastic surgery on his face after the car accident.

Recent Examples on the Web

Due to his hair loss and weight gain, in the film, Trump resorts to plastic surgery. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 11 Oct. 2024

Looking Beyond Social Media And Marketing Materials The rise of platforms like TikTok and Instagram has certainly had an impact on the visibility of professionals in all fields, including plastic surgery. —Lara Devgan, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024

After a video of the rapper’s hourglass figure led some people online to accuse her of undergoing plastic surgery, Cardi shut down the rumor mill by sharing a snapshot and video of herself in form-fitting dresses on X Saturday (Oct. 5). —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 7 Oct. 2024

Elsbeth and Kaya’s presence piques Philip’s curiosity and re-introduces Elsbeth and Kaya to the kindly Dr. Jablonsky from last season’s plastic surgery episode, who furnishes some useful backstory about Philip. —Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1837, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

plastic surgery

noun

: surgery concerned with the repair or improvement of lost, injured, defective, or misshapen parts of the body

Medical Definition

plastic surgery

noun

: a branch of surgery concerned with improving the function or appearance of parts of the body through reconstructive or cosmetic medical procedures

also : a procedure performed for such a purpose

Note: Reconstructive plastic surgery deals mainly with the surgical repair or restoration of an injured, lost, diseased, defective, or misshapen part or area. It typically involves the grafting of tissue (such as skin or cartilage) from one part of the body to another. Cosmetic or aesthetic plastic surgery focuses on enhancing appearance and includes surgical procedures (such as blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, and breast augmentation) as well as nonsurgical procedures (such as chemical peels and botulinum toxin injections).