ostomy

[ os-tuh-mee ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural os·to·mies.

any of various surgical procedures, as a colostomy, in which an artificial opening is made so as to permit the drainage of waste products either into an appropriate organ or to the outside of the body.

Origin of ostomy¹

1955–60; generalized from words in which -ostomy is the final element; -o-, -stomy

Browse