scalpel

noun

scal·​pel ˈskal-pəl 

also

skal-ˈpel 

: a small straight thin-bladed knife used especially in surgery

Examples of scalpel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

To Cut Or Not To Cut Slicing the budget requires a scalpel, not a chainsaw. —Ray Titus, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025

During rosacea surgery, a surgeon uses a scalpel to remove excess skin and shape the area. —Carrie Madormo, Rn, Mph, Verywell Health, 27 Jan. 2025

Zachary Basu, Marc Caputo Feb 3, 2025 - Politics & Policy Musk's wrecking ball pierces government's inner sanctum Elon Musk and his cost-slashing allies are taking a hammer to the massive bureaucracy that staffs the U.S. government — and a scalpel to any senior officials who dare put up a fight. —Sam Sabin, Axios, 7 Feb. 2025

There are close-ups of scalpels cutting into skin and glimpses of the human body in various states of mangled and bloody distress. —Nina Metz, Twin Cities, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin scalpellus, scalpellum, diminutive of scalper, scalprum chisel, knife, from scalpere to scratch, carve

First Known Use

1742, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for scalpel

• palpal

Kids Definition

scalpel

noun

scal·​pel ˈskal-pəl 

 also  skal-ˈpel

: a small straight thin-bladed knife used especially in surgery

Medical Definition

scalpel

noun

scal·​pel

ˈskal-pəl also skal-ˈpel

: a small straight thin-bladed knife used especially in surgery