ablation

noun

ab·​la·​tion a-ˈblā-shən How to pronounce ablation (audio)
: the process of ablating: such as
a
: surgical removal
b
: loss of a part (such as ice from a glacier or the outside of a nose cone) by melting or vaporization

Examples of ablation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Thirteen years passed between his first and second ablations, and the second was 12 years ago. Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2024 Advertisement Getting another ablation procedure, which could help treat irregular heartbeats by destroying tissue that causes abnormal electrical signals, remains an option after the initial monitoring period. Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2024 After his two previous episodes of atrial flutter, Harbaugh underwent ablations, which are minimally invasive procedures that treat irregular heartbeats by destroying heart tissue that causes abnormal electrical signals. Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2024 Providers might also use ablation as a treatment method. Sayaka Blickenderfer, Phd, Health, 18 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ablation 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ablacioun "removal," borrowed from Late Latin ablātiōn-, ablātiō, from Latin ablā-, suppletive stem of auferre "to carry away, remove" + -tiōn-, tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at ablate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ablation was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near ablation

Cite this Entry

“Ablation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ablation. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

ablation

noun
ab·​la·​tion a-ˈblā-shən How to pronounce ablation (audio)
: the process of ablating: as
a
: surgical cutting and removal
b
: removal of a part (as the outside of a nose cone) by melting or vaporization

Medical Definition

ablation

noun
ab·​la·​tion a-ˈblā-shən How to pronounce ablation (audio)
: the process of ablating
especially : surgical removal

More from Merriam-Webster on ablation

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