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Meaning & use

pre-op

adjective, noun·Academic

Last updated

UK/ˌpriːˈɒp/
US/ˌpriːˈɑːp/

Meanings

  1. adjectivebefore a noun

    Relating to the time or preparations just before a surgical operation.

    Grammar: Used before a noun, as in 'pre-op check' or 'pre-op instructions'.

    Patterns

    • pre-op check
    • pre-op instructions
    • pre-op appointment

    The nurse gave me a pre-op check before my surgery.

    You'll receive pre-op instructions about not eating after midnight.

    She had a pre-op appointment with the anesthesiologist.

  2. noununcountable

    The area or period in a hospital where patients are prepared for surgery.

    Grammar: Usually used without 'a' or 'the', as in 'in pre-op'.

    Patterns

    • in pre-op
    • wait in pre-op

    She waited in pre-op until the surgical team was ready.

    He was still in pre-op when his family arrived.

Common combinations

pre-op check
The doctor performed a quick pre-op check.
pre-op instructions
Follow the pre-op instructions carefully.
pre-op appointment
I have a pre-op appointment tomorrow morning.
pre-op area
The pre-op area was busy with nurses.

Synonyms and how they differ

preoperative
The full form is more formal and often used in medical writing; 'pre-op' is the informal, everyday short form.

Opposites

post-op

Word family

post-op adjective
Relating to the period after surgery.
operation noun
A surgical procedure.

Commonly confused: pre-op or preoperative?

pre-op vs preoperative

This is the full, formal adjective; 'pre-op' is the shortened, informal version.

Practice

The patient was taken to ______ to be prepared for surgery.

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