# suture

/ˈsutʃɝ/ (US) · /sˈuːtʃɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/suture
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

a stitch or a row of stitches that a doctor uses to hold the edges of a wound together so it can heal.

For teachers: a stitch or series of stitches made to secure the edges of a surgical incision or a deep wound. In anatomy, it also refers to the immovable fibrous joints between the bones of the skull.

## Examples

- The doctor removed the sutures once the wound had closed.
- After the surgery, the nurse checked the sutures to ensure there were no signs of infection or tearing.
- While absorbable sutures eventually dissolve within the body's tissues, non-absorbable varieties must be manually extracted by a medical professional after sufficient healing has occurred.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in medical contexts; can refer to the material used (the thread) or the resulting stitch itself.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.