Wordnet 3.0
NOUN (1)
1. 
 a surgical operation that creates an opening into the trachea with a tube inserted to provide a passage for air; 
 performed when the pharynx is obstructed by edema or cancer or other causes; 
[syn: tracheostomy, tracheotomy]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Tracheotomy \Tra`che*ot"o*my\, n. [Trachea + Gr. ? to cut: cf.F.
   tracheotomie.] (Surg.)
   The operation of making an opening into the windpipe.
   [1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
tracheotomy
    n 1: a surgical operation that creates an opening into the
         trachea with a tube inserted to provide a passage for air;
         performed when the pharynx is obstructed by edema or cancer
         or other causes [syn: tracheostomy, tracheotomy]