'appendectomy' originates from modern English, combining the element 'append-' from 'appendix' and the suffix '-ectomy' from Greek 'ektomē' meaning 'excision'.

'appendectomy' developed as a shortened form of earlier use 'appendicectomy' (British English), which comes from New Latin 'appendicectomia' and ultimately from Greek components including 'ektomē' ('excision').

Initially it referred specifically to the surgical excision of the appendix and its meaning has remained essentially the same: 'surgical removal of the appendix'.