surgeon general

noun

plural surgeons general
: the chief medical officer of a branch of the armed services or of a public health service

Examples of surgeon general in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In his remarks to commissioners, Ladapo, the state surgeon general, said fluoride in toothpaste is plenty sufficient for dental health, and that drinking it causes health risks. Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025 The work will be supported by the U.S. surgeon general, the fact sheet says. Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2025 The National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and the U.S. surgeon general’s recent advisory have similar recommendations to limit alcohol consumption. Pranoti Mandrekar, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2025 An Air Force spokesperson directed me to the Air Force Civil Engineer Center, which referred me to the VA and the Air Force surgeon general’s office. Maddy Crowell, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for surgeon general

Word History

First Known Use

1706, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of surgeon general was in 1706

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Cite this Entry

“Surgeon general.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surgeon%20general. Accessed 8 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

surgeon general

noun
plural surgeons general
: the chief medical officer of a branch of the armed services or of a public health service

Medical Definition

surgeon general

noun
plural surgeons general
: the chief medical officer of a branch of the armed services or of a public health service
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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