surgeon general

noun

plural surgeons general
: the chief medical officer of a branch of the armed services or of a public health service

Examples of surgeon general 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.
The dire situation prompted Dr. Vivek Murthy, then the U.S. surgeon general, to declare last year that social isolation and loneliness are a pressing health epidemic, on a par with smoking or obesity in terms of its detrimental effects. John Hewko, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025 Over the next few weeks, a new surgeon general will be confirmed, but the office will continue to carry the same weight. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025 Just over 11% of Americans smoke cigarettes, down from over 40% of U.S. adults in the mid-1960s, when the surgeon general issued an advisory about the dangers of smoking. Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 26 Jan. 2025 The surgeon general’s warning comes at a time when the alcohol industry is struggling. Julie Creswell, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for surgeon general 

Word History

First Known Use

1706, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of surgeon general was in 1706

Dictionary Entries Near surgeon general

Cite this Entry

“Surgeon general.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surgeon%20general. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

surgeon general

noun
plural surgeons general
: the chief medical officer of a branch of the armed services or of a public health service

Medical Definition

surgeon general

noun
plural surgeons general
: the chief medical officer of a branch of the armed services or of a public health service
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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