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

His biggest areas of improvement, strength and speed in particular, are unlikely to have been addressed in full this summer, given that part of it was spent recovering from the surgical procedure that ended his 2025-26 campaign prematurely. — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

In a post on X, Marbin Miller likened the impact of the cuts to a surgical operation. — Jocelyn Noveck, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

For adults managing swelling, heavy legs or post-surgical concerns, compression boots have moved from hospitals and pro training rooms into home use. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Avoid using the boots over skin infections such as cellulitis, open wounds or recent surgical sites unless a healthcare professional signs off. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 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