: a small straight thin-bladed knife used especially in surgery
Examples of scalpel in a Sentence
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After numbing the scrotal skin with a local anesthetic, the urologist makes a small opening in the skin, often so small that no stitches or scalpels are needed.
—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 1 June 2025
La Sasso spent the evening on his back as a doctor from another team dug into his feet with a scalpel and needle.
—Mark Zeigler, Mercury News, 27 May 2025
The only real dimensional difference is the seat height: the S is a noob-friendlier 32.7 inches tall (832 mm), whereas the track scalpel is pretty tall at 34 inches (865 mm).
—Joe Salas
may 25, New Atlas, 25 May 2025
During this surgery, your provider will remove part or all of your toenail using either a chemical solution or a scalpel (a small knife).3
However, even with surgical treatment, retronychia can recur (come back).
—Sarah Hudgens, Health, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scalpel
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Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 1 June 2025
La Sasso spent the evening on his back as a doctor from another team dug into his feet with a scalpel and needle.
—Mark Zeigler, Mercury News, 27 May 2025
The only real dimensional difference is the seat height: the S is a noob-friendlier 32.7 inches tall (832 mm), whereas the track scalpel is pretty tall at 34 inches (865 mm).
—Joe Salas
may 25, New Atlas, 25 May 2025
During this surgery, your provider will remove part or all of your toenail using either a chemical solution or a scalpel (a small knife).3
However, even with surgical treatment, retronychia can recur (come back).
—Sarah Hudgens, Health, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scalpel
Cite this Entry
“Scalpel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scalpel. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
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scalpel
noun
scal·pel
ˈskal-pəl 
also skal-ˈpel
: a small straight thin-bladed knife used especially in surgery
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