colostomy

[ kuh-los-tuh-mee ]

noun

, Surgery.

, plural co·los·to·mies.

1. the construction of an artificial opening from the colon through the abdominal wall, thus bypassing a diseased portion of the lower intestine and permitting the passage of intestinal contents.
2. the opening so constructed.

colostomy

/ kəˈlɒstəmɪ /

noun

1. the surgical formation of an opening from the colon onto the surface of the body, which functions as an anus

colostomy

/ kə-lŏs′tə-mē /

1. Surgical construction of an opening from the colon through the abdominal wall to the outside of the body for the purpose of excretion.

Word History and Origins

Origin of colostomy¹

First recorded in 1885–90; colo- + -stomy

Example Sentences

And, thanks to a host of women posting photos of themselves with their colostomy bags, the condition is shedding its stigma.

From The Daily Beast

After a life-saving colostomy was performed, Castro was deeply distraught.

From The Daily Beast

But Castro nixed having a colostomy, perhaps out of pride, machismo, or hubris—or some combination of the three.

From The Daily Beast

He would not listen to anyone because he could not bear the idea of it [the external colostomy bag].

From The Daily Beast