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

Medicare, the program for the elderly and disabled, lifted its ban on covering sex reassignment surgery earlier this year.

From The Daily Beast

"Andrej Pejić Now Andreja After Sex Reassignment Surgery," People's headline read.

From The Daily Beast

In 2009, they traveled to Thailand, where Bernaroli had sex reassignment surgery and became Alessandra, too.

From The Daily Beast

Sex reassignment surgery is significantly more expensive, costing approximately $20,000.

From The Daily Beast

The Army does not provide hormone therapy or sex-reassignment surgery for gender identity disorder.

From The Daily Beast