vasectomy

[va-sek-tuh-mee]

noun

Surgery.

plural

vasectomies 

1. excision of the vas deferens, or of a portion of it: performed to effect sterility in men.

vasectomy

/ væˈsɛktəmɪ /

noun

1. surgical removal of all or part of the vas deferens, esp as a method of contraception

vasectomy

1. Surgical removal of all or part of the vas deferens, resulting in sterility.

vasectomy

1. A surgical procedure in which the ducts that carry sperm out of the testes are cut and tied off so that no sperm can pass. Vasectomy is a form of male sterilization and is used as a method of birth control. The procedure has no effect on a man's capacity to produce semen; the only difference is that his semen will no longer contain sperm.

Other Word Forms

• postvasectomy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vasectomy¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; vas (deferens) + -ectomy

Example Sentences

Junior officers enforced the order ruthlessly - contract labourers were told, "No advances, no jobs, unless you get vasectomies."

From BBC

In 2023, preliminary data found a significant uptick in vasectomy consultations.

From Salon

Wade via the Dobbs decision, giving states control to restrict abortion, Google recorded the highest volume of searches for “vasectomy” in the past five years.

From Salon

As a result, they have taken a "definitive decision" - Chris is seeking to have a vasectomy, after years of Gemma having a contraceptive implant.

From BBC

A study published in April 2024 found that a rise in tubal sterilizations among females was twice as high as the increase among vasectomies in males after Dobbs.

From Salon

Related Words

• abstinence 
• condom 
• contraceptive 
• diaphragm 
• family planning 
• pill