operating room

American  

noun

1. a specially equipped room, usually in a hospital, where surgical procedures are performed. OR

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Etymology

Origin of operating room

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

“We had a colloquial term in the operating room: December Deductible Derby.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

"There's a lot of interesting emotional circuits that are deep in the brain, but until now you couldn't manipulate them outside of the operating room."

From Science Daily • Feb. 4, 2026

While a torn ACL typically sends athletes straight to the operating room, Vonn said surgery was not a discussion.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 2026

"My love has just gone to the operating room," Bolsonaro's wife Michelle said in an Instagram post.

From Barron's • Dec. 25, 2025

Finally he got permission to set up his movie equipment in an operating room.

From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey