surgical mask

noun

plural surgical masks

: a rectangular-shaped face mask (as of fabric or polypropylene fiber) that is typically secured by two straps tied in the back of head and is intended to be worn by medical personnel during surgical procedures especially to protect the wearer against splashes or splatters of blood or body fluid and to prevent contamination of the patient's surgical wounds

We all know that the human mouth, in microbiological terms, is one of the filthiest things on the planet. Hence a device that could keep things from falling out of the surgeon's mouth and into a wound would be highly desirable. Enter the surgical mask: simple and relatively cheap.

—Howard Seiden

On a Thursday afternoon in mid-December, Dr. Roger Ott Sr. pulled on a pair of latex gloves, a surgical mask and a gown, and stepped into the operating room for a routine surgical procedure.

—Susan Gwiasda

also : a face mask (such as a procedure mask) that resembles a surgical mask

It used to be that shouting "Fire!" in a crowded theater was the classic panic trigger. Now it's coughing or sneezing. … Until this crisis is over, theaters should hand out surgical masks to all patrons.

—John Weeks

The fine metal dust that is raised in polishing can be unhealthy if breathed in, so wear a surgical mask while polishing.

—Reader's Digest Crafts & Hobbies

Examples of surgical mask in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Videos posted online show cops in riot gear and demonstrators, many either wearing surgical masks or obscuring their faces with headscarves, shoving each other in the smoke. —Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 29 June 2024

Gas masks or similar devices, not including medical oxygen masks, cloth masks, or N95 or KN95 surgical masks used to avoid transmission of viruses. —Alison Dirr, Journal Sentinel, 11 June 2024

Wearing black hooded sweatshirts, gloves, surgical masks and black hats, the suspects smashed the glass cases with sledgehammers before snatching the jewelry and making off into a black SUV and driving out of the mall property onto Baldwin Road. —Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 12 June 2024

At Monday’s demonstration, most protesters wore surgical masks, and those at the edges of the moving encampment held makeshift wooden shields or set up chicken wire to barricade themselves in. —Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

surgical mask

noun

: a protective mask covering the mouth and nose that is typically secured by two straps tied in the back of head and is intended to be worn by medical personnel during surgical procedures especially to protect the wearer against splashes or splatters of blood or body fluid and to prevent contamination of the patient's surgical wounds

Medical Definition

surgical mask

noun

: a rectangular-shaped face mask (as of fabric or polypropylene fiber) that is typically secured by two straps tied behind the head and that is intended to be worn by medical personnel during surgical procedures especially to protect the wearer against splashes or splatters of body fluids and to prevent contamination of the patient's surgical wounds

Surgical masks have been in widespread use since the early 1900s to help prevent infection of surgical wounds from staff-generated nasal and oral bacteria. Today, surgical masks vary widely in style and intended application and can be found in a broad range of hospital and health care settings.

—Tara Oberg and Lisa M. Brosseau, American Journal of Infection Control

also : a face mask (such as a {d_link|procedure mask|procedure_mask) that resembles a surgical mask