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

This situation will change following enactment of the No Pain Act, at least in the ambulatory surgical and hospital outpatient settings. —Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024

Trump has promised to advocate for legislation affirming only two genders and to prohibit hormonal or surgical interventions for transgender minors nationwide. —Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024

Abdominoplasty Abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat and skin, tightens stomach muscles, and pulls the skin of the abdomen taut. —Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 30 Oct. 2024

Monica Molenaar, co-founder of Alloy Health, kicked off the evening by sharing her own personal story of surgical menopause at age 40 due to a family history of breast and ovarian cancer. —Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 28 Oct. 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