circumcision
noun
cir·cum·ci·sion
ˌsər-kəm-ˈsi-zhən 
ˈsər-kəm-ˌsi-
ˈsər-kəm-ˌsi-
1
a
: the act of circumcising
especially
: the cutting off of the foreskin of males that is practiced as a religious rite by Jews and Muslims and by others as a social custom or for potential health benefits (such as improved hygiene)
c
: the condition of being circumcised
2
capitalized
: January 1 observed as a festival in some churches in commemoration of the circumcision of Jesus
Examples of circumcision in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The spokesperson listed specific programs that the Trump administration considered wasteful, including $750,000 to reduce xenophobia in Venezuela, $67,000 for feeding insect powder to children in Madagascar and $3 million for circumcision, vasectomies and condoms in Zambia.
—
Josh Boak, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
Already in the first episode, in her very first interaction with a congregant, Léa has to defend one of the most primitive forms of religious practice: circumcision.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 1 June 2025
The plate said something about being a mohel, a person who performs circumcisions.
—Elana Rabinowitz, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025
And among those who received circumcisions, less than 2% became infected with HIV.
—Bec Roldan, NPR, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circumcision
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.
Josh Boak, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
Already in the first episode, in her very first interaction with a congregant, Léa has to defend one of the most primitive forms of religious practice: circumcision.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 1 June 2025
The plate said something about being a mohel, a person who performs circumcisions.
—Elana Rabinowitz, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025
And among those who received circumcisions, less than 2% became infected with HIV.
—Bec Roldan, NPR, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circumcision
Cite this Entry
“Circumcision.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circumcision. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
circumcision
noun
cir·cum·ci·sion
ˌsər-kəm-ˈsizh-ən
ˈsər-kəm-ˌsizh-
1
: the act of circumcising or being circumcised
especially
: a Jewish rite performed on male infants as a sign of inclusion in the covenant between God and Abraham
2
capitalized
: January 1 observed as a festival in some churches in honor of the circumcision of Jesus
Medical Definition
circumcision
noun
cir·cum·ci·sion
ˌsər-kəm-ˈsizh-ən
1
: the act of circumcising:
a
: the cutting off of the foreskin of males that is practiced as a religious rite by Jews and Muslims and by others as a social custom or for potential health benefits (as improved hygiene)
2
: the condition of being circumcised
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share