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

Inside were essential supplies such as surgical tools and engine oil for generators. —Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 15 May 2026

Beauty tourism refers to traveling internationally for cosmetic or aesthetic procedures rather than receiving them locally, with treatments ranging from skincare and injectables to surgical enhancements like rhinoplasty and body contouring. —Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2026

The treatments cover a wide spectrum, from skincare and injectables to surgical enhancements like rhinoplasty and body contouring. —Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026

And surgical site infections following abdominal hysterectomy actually rose 8% in 2024, according to the CDC, a reminder that the infection problem extends well beyond surfaces. —Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 15 May 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