sex reassignment surgery

[ seks ree-uh-sahyn-muhnt sur-juh-ree ]

noun

1. the alteration of a person's physical sex characteristics by surgery in order to match the person’s gender identity. : SRS

Sensitive Note

While sex change was once a term widely used to refer to sex reassignment surgery, it has declined in use and can be seen as offensive. The terminology around these procedures now places the focus on the way in which one might align one’s assigned sex with one’s gender identity.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sex reassignment surgery¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Gender transition and sex reassignment surgery were alien concepts at the time.

From Los Angeles Times

It also allowed sex identity change by simple declaration without mandating psychiatric evaluation and sex reassignment surgery in October 2017.

From Seattle Times

Artificial penises had been in use for centuries, either as replacements for detached members, as treatment for erectile dysfunction or for use in sex reassignment surgery.

From New York Times

Over the past year, the city’s courts have ruled that full sex reassignment surgery should not be a prerequisite for transgender people to have their gender changed on their official identity cards and backed the granting of equal housing and inheritance rights for same-sex couples married overseas.

From Seattle Times

The House bill seeks to limit travel reimbursement for military service members seeking abortions, ban military sex reassignment surgery for transgenders, and end “diversity, equity and inclusion” — DEI — policies that critics say have undercut merit hiring in the ranks and diluted the Pentagon’s war-fighting mission.

From Washington Times