plastic surgery

noun

: a branch of surgery concerned with improving the function or appearance of parts of the body through reconstructive or cosmetic medical procedures
also : a procedure performed for such a purpose

Note: Reconstructive plastic surgery deals mainly with the surgical repair or restoration of an injured, lost, diseased, defective, or misshapen part or area. It typically involves the grafting of tissue (such as skin or cartilage) from one part of the body to another. Cosmetic or aesthetic plastic surgery focuses on enhancing appearance and includes surgical procedures (such as blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, and breast augmentation) as well as nonsurgical procedures (such as chemical peels and botulinum toxin injections).

Examples of plastic surgery in a Sentence

He needed plastic surgery on his face after the car accident.
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.
Elsbeth and Kaya’s presence piques Philip’s curiosity and re-introduces Elsbeth and Kaya to the kindly Dr. Jablonsky from last season’s plastic surgery episode, who furnishes some useful backstory about Philip. —Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2024 For instance, plastic surgery centers can be members of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS). —Geoff Whitmore, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024 Though he’s denied plastic surgery claims, Matt Rife has been open about getting work on his teeth. —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 14 Aug. 2024 Kristin Cavallari clarifies her past plastic surgeries. —Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for plastic surgery 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1837, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of plastic surgery was circa 1837

Dictionary Entries Near plastic surgery

plastic surgeon

plastic surgery

plasticware

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Plastic surgery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plastic%20surgery. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

plastic surgery

noun
: surgery concerned with the repair or improvement of lost, injured, defective, or misshapen parts of the body

Medical Definition

plastic surgery

noun
: a branch of surgery concerned with improving the function or appearance of parts of the body through reconstructive or cosmetic medical procedures
also : a procedure performed for such a purpose

Note: Reconstructive plastic surgery deals mainly with the surgical repair or restoration of an injured, lost, diseased, defective, or misshapen part or area. It typically involves the grafting of tissue (such as skin or cartilage) from one part of the body to another. Cosmetic or aesthetic plastic surgery focuses on enhancing appearance and includes surgical procedures (such as blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, and breast augmentation) as well as nonsurgical procedures (such as chemical peels and botulinum toxin injections).

More from Merriam-Webster on plastic surgery

Nglish: Translation of plastic surgery for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about plastic surgery

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