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female genital mutilation
noun
: a procedure performed especially as a cultural rite that typically includes the total or partial excision of the female external genitalia and especially the clitoris and labia minora and that is now outlawed in many nations including the U.S.
—abbreviation FGM
called also female circumcision
compare infibulationExamples of female genital mutilation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
On social media, pro-government accounts — some of which appeared to be fake — accused Sudanese refugees of driving up rents and promoting female genital mutilation.
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Vivian Yee, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
The trans model is vocal on transgender rights, serving as an ambassador for the gender variant and transgender youth charity Mermaids, and has spoken passionately about the bid to put a stop to female genital mutilation.
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Max Goldbart, Deadline, 16 Dec. 2024
Globally, over 230 million girls and women have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM), representing a 15% increase—or 30 million more girls and women—compared to data from eight years ago.
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Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
Over the past year, Gambia — a tiny, majority Muslim country — has been engulfed in a nationwide debate about female genital cutting, which is widely known as female genital mutilation (FGM).
—
Rachel Chason, Washington Post, 14 July 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1979, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of female genital mutilation was
in 1979
Dictionary Entries Near female genital mutilation
Cite this Entry
“Female genital mutilation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/female%20genital%20mutilation. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
Medical Definition
female genital mutilation
noun
: a procedure performed especially as a cultural rite that typically includes the total or partial excision of the female external genitalia and especially the clitoris and labia minora and that is now outlawed in many nations including the United States
—abbreviation FGM
called also female circumcision
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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