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Glite Dictionary
vasectomy

vasectomy

39 6.0
A small operation for men that stops them making sperm so they cannot cause pregnancy
  • noun
  • /vəˈsɛktəmi/
  • Specialized
translation icon : 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
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
surgical contraception
vsvasectomy
  • Specialized
5.8

A medical operation that permanently prevents pregnancy

targets male reproductive tract specifically to stop sperm reaching the semen

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.