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

In a precision surgical implant setting, that same margin can be the difference between restoring function or merely stabilizing it. — Vikas Verma, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026

In the future, a surgical procedure involving red or blue light might restore vision or stop the progression of neurodegenerative diseases in their tracks. — Kimberlee D'ardenne, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026

TrustCare Med says the platform is also building relationships with clinical and surgical providers to support patients through different stages of care. — Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026

After initially refusing surgical intervention, Joel had a shunt implanted to alleviate some effects of the disorder. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026

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

Rhymes for surgical

• chirurgical
• liturgical
• nonsurgical
• postsurgical
• dramaturgical
• metallurgical
• microsurgical
• neurosurgical

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