circumcise

verb

cir·​cum·​cise ˈsər-kəm-ˌsīz How to pronounce circumcise (audio)
circumcised; circumcising

transitive verb

: to cut off the foreskin of (a male) or the prepuce or clitoris and labia minora of (a female)
circumciser noun

Examples of circumcise 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.
Baldoni admitted to telling Lively that he was circumcised while discussing her pregnancy. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Dec. 2025 They could have been medically circumcised at an early age, but cultural pressures mean that many prefer the traditional way. — ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026 The man himself might have argued forcefully that the one didn’t prove the other, that many Muslims in his hometown never bothered to circumcise their children. — Literary Hub, 20 Feb. 2026 Kennedy also mentioned a Danish study from 2015 that concluded that boys who are circumcised may have a greater risk of developing autism. — Aria Bendix, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for circumcise

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin circumcisus, past participle of circumcidere, from circum- + caedere to cut

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of circumcise was in the 14th century

Rhymes for circumcise

See All Rhymes for circumcise

Browse Nearby Words

circumcircle
circumcise
circumciser
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Circumcise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circumcise. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

circumcise

verb
cir·​cum·​cise ˈsər-kəm-ˌsīz How to pronounce circumcise (audio)
circumcised; circumcising
: to cut off the foreskin of

Medical Definition

circumcise

transitive verb
cir·​cum·​cise ˈsər-kəm-ˌsīz How to pronounce circumcise (audio)
circumcised; circumcising
1
: to cut off the foreskin of (a male) or the prepuce of (a female)
2
: to cut off all or part of the external genitalia and especially the clitoris and labia minora of (a female) see female genital mutilation
circumciser noun

More from Merriam-Webster on circumcise

Nglish: Translation of circumcise for Spanish Speakers

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