vasectomized

IPA/vəˈsek.tə.maɪz/
IPA/vəˈsek.tə.maɪz/

vasectomized — verb

  • vasectomizedpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • vasectomizeds3rd person singular
  • vasectomizeding-ing form
  • vasectomizededpast simple

1. to perform a surgical procedure on a man or male animal that blocks or cuts the

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveC1
Definition

to perform a surgical procedure on a man or male animal that blocks or cuts the tubes carrying sperm from the testicles, making him unable to father children.

Example

Pedro decided to get vasectomized after his third child was born.

get vasectomized — informal passive structure

The veterinarian at the local shelter vasectomized fifteen male cats last Tuesday.

active voice with medical professional as subject

Common collocations
  • get vasectomized
  • be vasectomized
  • have someone vasectomized
  • decide to get vasectomized
  • choose to be vasectomized
  • vasectomized at [clinic/hospital]
Synonyms
  • sterilize

    Broader term that covers both sexes and various methods; vasectomized is specific to male tubal ligation

  • neuter

    Used for animals only; vasectomized can refer to humans or animals but neuter is the everyday term for pets

  • cut

    Very informal and vague; avoid in medical or polite contexts

Grammar Patterns

be vasectomized

get vasectomized

have someone vasectomized

vasectomize + direct object (active, professional subject)

Usage Note

Almost always used in passive or participial constructions (be vasectomized, get vasectomized). Active voice occurs mainly when a medical professional or institution is the subject.

Common Mistakes

The doctor vasectomized my husband' (正確的句子).
My husband was vasectomized by the doctor.
passive voice is more natural for the person receiving the procedure than active voice.
I vasectomized my dog myself.
I had my dog vasectomized at the clinic.
vasectomy is a medical procedure that must be done by a qualified professional, not by the owner.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All three words describe making a male unable to reproduce, but they differ in scope and connotation. Sterilize is the broadest term: it covers both sexes and any method (surgical, chemical, or otherwise). Vasectomized is a precise medical term for the specific surgical procedure on the vas deferens. Neuter is the everyday word for animals, especially pets, and often implies removing the testicles (castration) rather than just cutting the sperm ducts. Castrate specifically means removing the testicles, which stops both sperm and hormone production. In human medicine, vasectomized is the standard term; sterilize sounds clinical but vague, and castrate is misleading and incorrect for the vasectomy procedure.

sterilize ↗neuter ↗castrate ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • decide to get vasectomized
  • choose to be vasectomized
  • have someone vasectomized

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinGreekEnglish

Formed from the noun 'vasectomy' (1906) plus the English past-participle suffix '-ed'. 'Vasectomy' itself combines Latin 'vas' (vessel, duct, referring to the vas deferens) with Greek '-ectomy' (a cutting out, from 'ektomē' meaning excision). The term entered medical English in the early 20th century as the procedure became surgically feasible.

First known use

1900

1900, in the meaning defined above