Surgery: meaning, definitions and examples

Often used in a medical setting to refer to a medical procedure that involves cutting into the body to repair or remove something.

• He needs surgery to fix his broken leg.
• The surgeon is preparing for heart surgery.

Typically used interchangeably with 'surgery', but can also refer to any kind of surgical or organized activity.

• She underwent a serious operation to remove the tumor.
• The military operation was a success.

Often used to describe both medical and non-medical methods or processes. In medical settings, it can mean any kind of medical treatment, including surgeries and less invasive treatments.

• The dental procedure only took an hour.
• The correct procedure for installing the software is outlined in the manual.

Generally applies to any action taken to improve a medical situation, not necessarily involving surgery. Can also refer to actions taken outside of a medical context to alter outcomes.

• The patient required an emergency intervention to stop the bleeding.
• The school organized an intervention to help the struggling student.