circumcision
noun
cir·cum·ci·sion ˌsər-kəm-ˈsi-zhən 
ˈsər-kəm-ˌsi-
1
a
: the act of circumcising
especially : the cutting off of the foreskin of males that is practiced as a religious rite by Jews and Muslims and by others as a social custom or for potential health benefits (such as improved hygiene)
b
: female genital mutilation
c
: the condition of being circumcised
2
capitalized : January 1 observed as a festival in some churches in commemoration of the circumcision of Jesus
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web In response, the Emperor had the officer concerned put to death and repealed the law against circumcision. 
Caren Schnur Neile, Sun Sentinel, 5 Sep. 2022 Stern added that Israel must also play a role in ensuring Jewish life can thrive in the Diaspora, such as opposing government policies that ban fundamental Jewish needs, like ritual slaughter or circumcision. Maayan Hoffman, Sun Sentinel, 30 Aug. 2022 Because her vaginal area was sewn shut, Chanel needed to have the circumcision medically fixed. Lanae Brody, Peoplemag, 17 Aug. 2022 The Hebron community, Ms. Mochkofsky writes, split after a three-day argument about circumcision. Dominic Green, WSJ, 12 Aug. 2022 There was a boy born among the Jews who have remained in Dnipro, and no one is in the city to perform the circumcision. Washington Post, 15 Apr. 2022 When a nurse pages a doctor for a circumcision, that boy is likely heading home in the next few hours. Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2022 Indeed, the terms milah (circumcision) and niddah have similar meanings. Rabbi Avi Weiss, sun-sentinel.com, 28 Mar. 2022 While Loren watched the circumcision with tears running down her face, Alexei helps the mohel — a religious circumciser, who leads the event — complete the procedure. Kelly Wynne, PEOPLE.com, 25 Feb. 2022 See More
Caren Schnur Neile, Sun Sentinel, 5 Sep. 2022 Stern added that Israel must also play a role in ensuring Jewish life can thrive in the Diaspora, such as opposing government policies that ban fundamental Jewish needs, like ritual slaughter or circumcision. Maayan Hoffman, Sun Sentinel, 30 Aug. 2022 Because her vaginal area was sewn shut, Chanel needed to have the circumcision medically fixed. Lanae Brody, Peoplemag, 17 Aug. 2022 The Hebron community, Ms. Mochkofsky writes, split after a three-day argument about circumcision. Dominic Green, WSJ, 12 Aug. 2022 There was a boy born among the Jews who have remained in Dnipro, and no one is in the city to perform the circumcision. Washington Post, 15 Apr. 2022 When a nurse pages a doctor for a circumcision, that boy is likely heading home in the next few hours. Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2022 Indeed, the terms milah (circumcision) and niddah have similar meanings. Rabbi Avi Weiss, sun-sentinel.com, 28 Mar. 2022 While Loren watched the circumcision with tears running down her face, Alexei helps the mohel — a religious circumciser, who leads the event — complete the procedure. Kelly Wynne, PEOPLE.com, 25 Feb. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Medical Definition
circumcision
noun
cir·cum·ci·sion ˌsər-kəm-ˈsizh-ən
1
: the act of circumcising:
a
: the cutting off of the foreskin of males that is practiced as a religious rite by Jews and Muslims and by others as a social custom or for potential health benefits (as improved hygiene)
b
: female genital mutilation
2
: the condition of being circumcised