surgical

adjective

sur·​gi·​cal ˈsər-ji-kəl 

1

a

: of or relating to surgeons or surgery

surgical skills

b

: used in or in connection with surgery

surgical gauze

c

: following or resulting from surgery

surgical fevers

2

: characteristic of or resembling surgery or a surgeon especially in control or incisiveness

surgical precision

surgically

ˈsər-ji-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of surgical in a Sentence

The work was done with surgical precision.

Recent Examples on the Web

Owners of brachycephalic breeds should monitor their pets for symptoms and seek veterinary care for proper diagnosis and management, especially as severe cases may require surgical intervention. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024

In this outpatient surgical procedure, the surgeon makes tiny incisions in the skin and carefully removes spider or small varicose veins. —Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 2 Dec. 2024

Looking ahead: Full surgical procedures The JHU team is now working on expanding this technology to train robots to perform complete surgical procedures. —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 30 Nov. 2024

By integrating X-rays, CT scans, or other data directly into the surgical field, AR is said to help improve precision and saves time in operating rooms. —Anisha Sircar, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

surgeon + -ical

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing surgical

• pre-surgical
• surgical mask
• surgical spirit
• surgical strike

Kids Definition

surgical

adjective

sur·​gi·​cal ˈsər-ji-kəl 

: of, relating to, or associated with surgeons or surgery

surgical skills

surgical equipment

a surgical fever

surgically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

surgical

adjective

sur·​gi·​cal ˈsər-ji-kəl 

1

: of, relating to, or concerned with surgeons or surgery

surgical skill

2

: requiring surgical treatment

a surgical appendix

3

: used in or in connection with surgery

surgical gauze

4

: following or resulting from surgery

surgical fevers