craniotomy

noun

cra·​ni·​ot·​o·​my ˌkrā-nē-ˈä-tə-mē How to pronounce craniotomy (audio)
plural craniotomies
: surgical opening of the skull

Examples of craniotomy 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.
Andersen completed her first semester of classes before undergoing a craniotomy in December 2025. — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026 She was rushed to a hospital, diagnosed with a subdural hematoma and a craniotomy was immediately performed, saving her life. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2026 Galen Buckwalter didn’t hesitate to get a craniotomy in 2024 as part of a brain implant study at Caltech. — Emily Mullin, Wired News, 30 Mar. 2026 Wimmer was set to have an awake craniotomy, the same procedure Sharp underwent. — Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for craniotomy

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of craniotomy was in 1855

Rhymes for craniotomy

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Browse Nearby Words

Craniota
craniotomy
craniotopography
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Cite this Entry

“Craniotomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/craniotomy. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

craniotomy

noun
cra·​ni·​ot·​o·​my ˌkrā-nē-ˈät-ə-mē How to pronounce craniotomy (audio)
plural craniotomies
1
: the operation of cutting or crushing the fetal head to effect delivery
fetal craniotomies … performed to save the life of the mother—R. E. Frisch
2
: surgical opening of the skull
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