Cesarean vs. Caesarean
“Cesarean” and “Caesarean” name the same operation and related adjective. Cambridge marks “Cesarean” as the usual US spelling and “Caesarean” as the usual UK spelling, with additional capitalization and “-ian” variants also recorded.
Use “Cesarean” in US-oriented writing and “Caesarean” in UK-oriented writing unless your publication or medical organization specifies another house style.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Context | Preferred form | Why |
|---|---|---|
| US-oriented prose | Cesarean | Cambridge marks this as the usual US spelling. |
| UK-oriented prose | Caesarean | Cambridge marks this as the usual UK spelling. |
| Medical or editorial house style | follow the specified form | Local style can override the general regional preference, and additional variants are documented. |
Quick tests
Audience test
Is the document following a US or UK spelling system?
If yes: Use the matching regional form unless the governing medical or editorial style specifies otherwise.
If no: If the audience is mixed or the organization has its own spelling policy, follow the house style and keep the form consistent.
Caveat: The spellings name the same operation/adjective; this is a regional/style choice, not a meaning distinction.
Examples
The patient underwent a Cesarean delivery.
US-oriented spelling is appropriate here.
The patient underwent a Caesarean delivery.
UK-oriented spelling is appropriate here.
The report follows the hospital’s chosen spelling throughout.
A governing medical house style can decide the form.
Further guidance
Uk Style
Use “Caesarean” for UK-oriented prose when no local house style overrides it.
Us Style
Use “Cesarean” for US-oriented prose when no local house style overrides it.
Variation Boundary
Capitalization and the variant spellings “Cesarian/Caesarian” also occur; follow the governing medical or editorial style where consistency matters.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Cesarean — English meaning (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Dictionary treatment identifying “Cesarean” as the usual US spelling and “Caesarean” as the usual UK spelling