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

Between 3 percent and 9 percent of people develop voice disorders due to cysts, growths, or cancers that require surgical removal. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2025

Archaeologists have discovered a rare iron surgical tool of Celtic origin in Poland. —Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025

Drawing from his years inside Microsoft, Nasso delivers portrayals of tech CEOs that feel less like caricature and more like surgical roasts from someone who’s read through the Slack channels. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025

But the mother suffered a severe vaginal tear that required surgical repair by an obstetrician. —Charlotte Huff, NPR, 28 Oct. 2025

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