ostomy

noun

os·​to·​my ˈä-stə-mē How to pronounce ostomy (audio)
plural ostomies
: an operation (such as a colostomy) to create an artificial passage for bodily elimination

Examples of ostomy 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.
After the surgery, an ostomy nurse will be assigned to teach you how to care for your stoma and change your urostomy bag or catheter. — Jamin Brahmbhatt, Verywell Health, 12 Feb. 2025 The original plan was getting an ostomy bag, chemo to shrink the tumors and then going back in to reverse the ostomy. — Shannin Desroches, People.com, 20 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

colostomy

First Known Use

1957, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ostomy was in 1957

Rhymes for ostomy

See All Rhymes for ostomy

Browse Nearby Words

Ostomatidae
ostomy
-ostosis
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ostomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ostomy. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

ostomy

noun
os·​to·​my ˈäs-tə-mē How to pronounce ostomy (audio)
plural ostomies
: an operation (as a colostomy, ileostomy, or urostomy) to create an artificial passage for bodily elimination

More from Merriam-Webster on ostomy

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ostomy

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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
kestrel
Name That Bird Quiz Are you as wise as an owl or just another birdbrain?
See All