curettage

noun

cu·​ret·​tage ˌkyu̇r-ə-ˈtäzh How to pronounce curettage (audio)
: a surgical scraping or cleaning by means of a curette

Examples of curettage 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.
Endocervical curettage can be painful and may feel like bad menstrual cramps. — Elizabeth Boskey, Verywell Health, 27 June 2023 Dilation and curettage procedures were the most frequently performed in the state in 2020. — Sarah Swetlik | [email protected], al, 6 July 2022 Traditionally, a curettage is performed by scraping the lining of the uterus, but most doctors now use a vacuum to remove pregnancy tissue, and the procedure is called a suction curettage or simply aspiration. — Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 27 Feb. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of curettage was in 1897

Phrases Containing curettage

Browse Nearby Words

Curete
curettage
curette
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

curettage

noun
cu·​ret·​tage ˌkyu̇r-ə-ˈtäzh How to pronounce curettage (audio)
: a surgical cleaning or scraping of a body part (as the uterus)

Medical Definition

curettage

noun
cu·​ret·​tage ˌkyu̇r-ə-ˈtäzh How to pronounce curettage (audio)
: a surgical scraping or cleaning by means of a curette

More from Merriam-Webster on curettage

Nglish: Translation of curettage for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about curettage

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

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

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

Commonly Misspelled Words

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
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 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?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All