surgical

adjective

sur·​gi·​cal ˈsər-ji-kəl How to pronounce surgical (audio)
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 adverb

Examples of surgical in a Sentence

The work was done with surgical precision.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
They may also be shaved in patches on their legs, for IV access to keep the pet comfortable and safe during any surgical procedure, according to the Mayfield Veterinary Clinic. Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025 Grey helps save the life of a new surgical intern played by Jade Petty. Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025 This includes an angiography machine, which provides ultra-high resolution views of blood vessels in the brain, as well as advanced surgical microscopes. Greg Myre, NPR, 29 Sep. 2025 Rachelle Jeune, who was a surgical tech in the UMass Memorial Health Care system, tried to get a religious exemption from the COVID vax mandate at UMass Memorial back in 2021. Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for surgical

Word History

Etymology

surgeon + -ical

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of surgical was in 1707

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Surgical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surgical. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

surgical

adjective
sur·​gi·​cal ˈsər-ji-kəl How to pronounce surgical (audio)
: of, relating to, or associated with surgeons or surgery
surgical skills
surgical equipment
a surgical fever
surgically adverb

Medical Definition

surgical

adjective
sur·​gi·​cal ˈsər-ji-kəl How to pronounce surgical (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on surgical

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