surgery

Everyday

1. Medical treatment in which a doctor cuts into the body to repair or remove something; an operation. tree →
2. (UK, Ireland, Australia) A place where you go to see a doctor or dentist; a doctor's office. tree →
3. (UK) The time when a doctor sees patients. tree →
4. (UK) A time when a politician meets local people to hear their problems. tree →

In the lessons

In health and science lessons, surgery fixes broken bones or removes organs. In everyday UK life, «the doctor's surgery» is where you see your GP (US: «doctor's office»). Phrases: «have surgery», «heart surgery», «the dentist's surgery», «surgery hours».

Examples

• Grandpa had surgery on his knee. tree →
• The dog needed surgery after the accident. tree →
• I went to the doctor's surgery with a cough. tree →
• Surgery hours are from 8 till 6. tree →
• The surgeon carried out the surgery carefully. tree →
• Heart surgery can save lives. tree →
• Great Claus got so frightened that he rushed out of the surgery, jumped into the cart, whipped up his horses, and drove home quickly. tree →

Note

Uncountable for the treatment (have surgery), countable for the place (two surgeries). A «surgeon» is the doctor who does the surgery. US: «surgery» is only the operation; the place is the «doctor's office».