facelift

noun

face·​lift ˈfās-ˌlift How to pronounce facelift (audio)
variants or face lift or face-lift
plural facelifts or face lifts or face-lifts
1
: plastic surgery on the face and neck to remove or reduce signs of aging (such as wrinkles or sagging skin)
[Robert] Redford's publicist of 33 years, Lois Smith, denies her client has had any sort of facelift, eye job or chemical peel. "He's never, never, never had cosmetic surgery," she says.People Weekly
Many face lifts last between five and 10 years, but the procedure can cause hematomas, bleeding and nerve damage …Mary Murphy
Technically, a face-lift "lifts" both the face and the neck, and many plastic surgeons believe the neck shows the more dramatic improvement.Vogue
2
: an alteration, restoration, or restyling (as of a building) intended especially to modernize
The facelift was intended to return the 95-year-old hall's acclaimed acoustics to original purity …US News & World Report
Over time, the building was given a $15 million face lift, which created a new entrance on Fifth Avenue, subdued but plush interiors and escalators.Carrie Donovan
All 48 models from kids bikes to $3,000 racing bikes were redesigned … and each got a color and graphics face-lift.Laura Loro
facelift transitive verb
or face-lift or less commonly face lift
facelifted or face-lifted also face lifted; facelifting or face-lifting also face lifting; facelifts or face-lifts also face lifts
… said she would like to add more parking and continue to work on facelifting the venue. Dean Manning
… a former vaudeville palace recently face-lifted into a glittering performing arts center. Priit Vesilind

Examples of facelift 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.
The new tenants bring a major facelift to the space and a spectacular barbecue plate. Miguel Otárola, The Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2025 Now there’s a new Taycan, and while the design hasn’t changed much at all – there are new lights on the outside and practically nothing new inside – this mid-life facelift is an example of how much electric cars can evolve in a few short years. Alistair Charlton, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025 Recently the brand gave its first retail store in the Marais district in Paris, opened in 2017, a major facelift with a new concept that showcases the sunny, smart and simple spirit of the brand and its products. Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 19 Feb. 2025 The Celtics posted a 5-2 record in the first seven. Dallas, which underwent a dramatic franchise facelift ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, was missing several key contributors. Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 6 Feb. 2025 The last time Alexa received a significant facelift was in 2023. Brenda Stolyar, WIRED, 26 Feb. 2025 Christy Merrick, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Siri needs a facelift Apple has apparently been riding the do-nothing train for 14 years. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2025 To be clear about the Fed’s actions, to suggest that higher rates would strengthen the dollar is like saying a facelift will fix a broken leg. John Tamny, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025 Suites recently received a contemporary facelift following multimillion-dollar upgrades to standard rooms, and the spa’s design and programming have likewise been modernized. Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 22 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of facelift was in 1926

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Facelift.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/facelift. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

face-lift

noun
ˈfā-ˌslift
1
: plastic surgery on the face and neck to remove defects and imperfections (as wrinkles or sagging skin)
2
: an alteration, restoration, or remodeling (as of a building) intended especially to make more modern
face-lift verb

Medical Definition

facelift

noun
face·​lift
variants or face lift or face-lift
: plastic surgery on the face and neck to remove or reduce signs of aging (such as wrinkles or sagging skin)

called also rhytidectomy

facelift transitive verb
or face-lift also face lift

More from Merriam-Webster on facelift

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!