amputation

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "amputation" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to the surgical removal of a body part or the condition of having had a body part removed. For example, "The patient underwent an amputation of their right leg."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Christopher Shinn, a playwright who had a below-the-knee amputation, describes the act of watching a disabled character being played by an actor who we know is really fit and well as allowing society's "fear and loathing around disability" to be "magically transcended".

The Guardian - Opinion

The 55-year-old woman was hit by the plane's propeller and suffered a near amputation, according to emergency services.

The Guardian

In fact, the amputation of male genitals is a recurring theme in GOT.

The Guardian - Opinion

A patient wrongly diagnosed with tendonitis was "later admitted with septic shock resulting in amputation of left arm and extensive surgery on [their] right [arm]".

The Guardian

Its sultan issued a sharia-based code that includes such penalties as stoning and amputation.

The Economist

Intactivists counter that this hardly justifies what they call the amputation of a body part from infants who might never be at risk of HIV.

The Economist

As an example, the mufti cited the government's refusal to allow Kelantan, the only state controlled by PAS, to implement the hudud, or Islamic criminal code, which includes amputation for thieves and stoning for adulterers.

The Economist

Blistering details save the novel from sentimentality: at Akhmed's first amputation, he marvels that human bone marrow is red, not "golden, like a cow's"; a smuggler's Mercedes turns tight circles on Grozny's only unbroken piece of tarmac.No one in this village is innocent; each has some moral flaw.

The Economist

Skinned arms, the flesh at the site of the amputation and the plastic of the dishes were another story, however, suggesting that something within octopus skin inhibits suckers' attachment reflex.Suckers also grasp different items with varying levels of force.

The Economist

Other punishments included flogging and amputation; public stoning was supposedly stopped as a form of execution last August, but two men died by that method in December.In Iran and many other countries, Amnesty detected a retreat in women's rights, often in the name of religion.

The Economist

Mr Gade's amputation would qualify him as 100% disabled if he left the army.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "amputation" in contexts where the removal is either surgical or traumatic, avoiding its use for natural shedding processes.

Common error

Avoid using "amputation" to describe minor cuts or injuries. The term specifically refers to the removal of a limb or body part.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "amputation" is as a noun. It refers to the act of surgically removing a limb or body part, or the state of having undergone such a procedure. Ludwig AI confirms that it can be used as a noun.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "amputation" is a noun referring to the surgical or traumatic removal of a body part. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, and it is commonly found in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science contexts. When using "amputation", be precise about the affected body part and avoid using it for natural shedding. The related phrases, such as "surgical removal of a limb", provide alternative ways to express similar concepts. While "amputation" carries a neutral tone, academic or scientific sources will tend to exhibit a more formal register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surgical removal of a limb

Focuses specifically on the surgical aspect and body part affected.

limb excision

Uses a more technical term for the surgical removal of a limb.

removal of a body part

A broader term that encompasses any body part, not just limbs.

surgical separation

Emphasizes the act of surgically separating a body part.

traumatic limb loss

Highlights the cause of the loss being trauma.

exarticulation

Refers to amputation through a joint.

disarticulation

Refers to separation at a joint.

partial limb resection

Describes removal of only a part of a limb.

digit removal

Specifies removal of a digit (finger or toe).

surgical dismemberment

Implies a more drastic or extensive removal, but is a more dramatic term.

FAQs

How is "amputation" typically used in a sentence?

Typically, "amputation" is used to describe the surgical or traumatic removal of a limb or body part. For example, "The doctor recommended "leg amputation" due to severe infection."

What are some alternative terms for "amputation"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "amputation" include "surgical removal", "limb excision", or "removal of a body part".

Is it correct to use "amputation" for a naturally detached body part?

No, "amputation" typically refers to the surgical or traumatic removal of a body part. For naturally detached parts, terms like "shedding" or "detachment" are more appropriate.

What's the difference between "amputation" and "disarticulation"?

"Amputation" generally refers to the removal of a limb or body part, while "disarticulation" specifically means separation at a joint.