What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
surgery
Example
The patient underwent surgery to remove the tumor. [surgery: noun]
Example
The surgeon will perform the surgery tomorrow morning. [surgery: noun]
procedure
Example
The doctor recommended a non-invasive procedure to treat the patient's condition. [procedure: noun]
Example
The hospital has a strict procedure for admitting patients. [procedure: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Procedure is more commonly used than surgery in everyday language. Procedure is a versatile term that covers a wide range of medical processes, while surgery is a more specialized term that refers to a specific type of medical procedure.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between surgery and procedure?
Both surgery and procedure are formal terms used in medical settings. However, surgery is typically associated with a more serious and complex medical intervention, while procedure may be used for routine or standard medical processes.