Health / B1

SURJ-uh-ree/ˈsɜːdʒəri/

Surgery is a doctor’s local practice in the UK (the GP surgery), and also an operation. Clinic is already in the dictionary and is often hospital-based. Operation is the medical twin of the second sense. Repeat prescriptions: the GP surgery closed at noon — use 111, not A&E.

Meaning

A UK doctor’s local practice (the GP surgery); also a medical operation.

Examples

• “GP surgery closed at noon; use 111, not A&E, for the repeat prescription.”
• “Heart surgery is the operation sense, not a walk-in at the high-street practice.”

Good to know

the GP surgery (UK practice). An operation: surgery (often uncountable) / a surgical procedure. Close (hospital): a clinic. NHS. Mix-up: a surgeon is the person. US: a doctor’s office, not surgery, for the building.

Topics

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