surgical mask
noun
plural surgical masks
: a rectangular-shaped face mask (as of fabric or polypropylene fiber) that is typically secured by two straps tied in the back of head and is intended to be worn by medical personnel during surgical procedures especially to protect the wearer against splashes or splatters of blood or body fluid and to prevent contamination of the patient's surgical wounds
We all know that the human mouth, in microbiological terms, is one of the filthiest things on the planet. Hence a device that could keep things from falling out of the surgeon's mouth and into a wound would be highly desirable. Enter the surgical mask: simple and relatively cheap.—
Howard Seiden
Howard SeidenOn a Thursday afternoon in mid-December, Dr. Roger Ott Sr. pulled on a pair of latex gloves, a surgical mask and a gown, and stepped into the operating room for a routine surgical procedure.—Susan Gwiasda
Susan Gwiasda
also
: a face mask (such as a procedure mask) that resembles a surgical mask
It used to be that shouting "Fire!" in a crowded theater was the classic panic trigger. Now it's coughing or sneezing. … Until this crisis is over, theaters should hand out surgical masks to all patrons. —John Weeks
John Weeks The fine metal dust that is raised in polishing can be unhealthy if breathed in, so wear a surgical mask while polishing. —Reader's Digest Crafts & Hobbies
Reader's Digest Crafts & Hobbies Examples of surgical mask in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Surveillance video viewed by the Daily News captured the killer in a black surgical mask and dark hoodie assuming a shooter’s stance, gripping the pistol with both hands before firing seven shots at Faridun and his friends, striking the teen victim once in the back.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 28 June 2024
Lyles was wearing a surgical mask in the prerace area.
—Christa Sgobba, SELF, 8 Aug. 2024
Police believe one or two people would enter a retail store wearing surgical masks and take multiple large televisions before leaving the store without paying and driving off in a getaway vehicle operated by another person.
—Ethan Reese, Baltimore Sun, 18 July 2024
That was the case with the government’s advice against masking, issued when the pandemic was new, its means of transmission unknown, and hospitals were suffering a severe shortage of surgical masks and other protective equipment.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for surgical mask 
Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 28 June 2024
Lyles was wearing a surgical mask in the prerace area.
—Christa Sgobba, SELF, 8 Aug. 2024
Police believe one or two people would enter a retail store wearing surgical masks and take multiple large televisions before leaving the store without paying and driving off in a getaway vehicle operated by another person.
—Ethan Reese, Baltimore Sun, 18 July 2024
That was the case with the government’s advice against masking, issued when the pandemic was new, its means of transmission unknown, and hospitals were suffering a severe shortage of surgical masks and other protective equipment.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for surgical mask
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'surgical mask.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near surgical mask
Cite this Entry
“Surgical mask.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surgical%20mask. Accessed 11 Sep. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
surgical mask
noun
: a rectangular-shaped face mask (as of fabric or polypropylene fiber) that is typically secured by two straps tied behind the head and that is intended to be worn by medical personnel during surgical procedures especially to protect the wearer against splashes or splatters of body fluids and to prevent contamination of the patient's surgical wounds
Surgical masks have been in widespread use since the early 1900s to help prevent infection of surgical wounds from staff-generated nasal and oral bacteria. Today, surgical masks vary widely in style and intended application and can be found in a broad range of hospital and health care settings.—Tara Oberg and Lisa M. Brosseau, American Journal of Infection Control
Tara Oberg and Lisa M. Brosseau, American Journal of Infection Control
also
: a face mask (such as a {d_link|procedure mask|procedure_mask) that resembles a surgical mask
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