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

The injury is viewed as non-surgical at this time and the Twins plan to shut him down from activity for four weeks and then proceed from there. —Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026

Common therapies and treatments include Botox injections, which block nerve signals that cause spasms; voice therapy, which is often paired with Botox; and surgical options. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026

The company noted that costs of receiving the therapy may include out-of-pocket costs related to the surgical procedure, which isn’t performed by Regeneron. —Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026

Research shows that excessive fasting can negatively impact surgical outcomes. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 22 Apr. 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