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Glite Dictionary
vasectomy

vasectomy

40 6.0
A small operation for men that stops them making sperm so they cannot cause pregnancy
  • noun
  • /vəˈsɛktəmi/
  • Specialized
: vasectomía
  • The doctor explained how a vasectomy works to prevent sperm from being included in the semen.

Likely shutting down access to vasectomy clinics and stuff like that.

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Examples

  • Vasectomy is a very simple procedure.

    Jesus' Son (2000)

  • There is no guarantee that a vasectomy reversal will be successful.

    Blog text (30)

  • I plan on getting a vasectomy next month or so.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • Brian had a vasectomy and has given me an ultimatum.

  • So you've had a vasectomy for permanent birth control, but now you're having second thoughts.

    Blog text (30)

  • A vasectomy is a surgical procedure that helps prevent a man from fathering children.

  • After discussing their family plans, John decided to undergo a vasectomy to ensure they would not have more kids.

Synonyms

sterilization
vsvasectomy
  • Specialized
22 4.9

To stop an animal or person from having babies

applies only to a male surgical procedure on the reproductive tubes to block sperm
surgical contraception
vsvasectomy
  • Specialized
1 5.8

A medical operation that permanently prevents pregnancy

targets male reproductive tract specifically to stop sperm reaching the semen
vasosection
vsvasectomy
  • Specialized
9.9

A surgical cut in the tube that carries sperm to stop a man having children

allows sealing as an alternative to cutting to stop sperm flow
vasotomy
vsvasectomy
  • Specialized
9.9

A small surgical cut in the tube that carries sperm from the testicle

is specifically done to stop sperm entering the semen for sterilization

Surface Forms

vasectomy singular
vasectomies plural

Morphology

vasectomy = vas (semi-transparent) = vas + ectomy

The word is built from a recognizable medical root plus the surgical suffix '-ectomy', but the anatomical base is technical and not obvious to most B1 learners.

Etymology

The word vasectomy breaks into vas, a Latin word for 'vessel' or 'tube', and -ectomy, a Greek part meaning 'to cut out', the same ending you see in appendectomy. So a vasectomy is literally the 'cutting out' of the small tube that carries sperm, which is why it prevents pregnancy.