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

During Pan’s operation, Kwan-Feinberg sat at a console and used hand and foot controls to guide the robot’s small 3D camera and surgical instruments through an inclusion beneath each arm. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 30 July 2026

The Panthers initially planned to follow a non-surgical path on Brazzell’s moderate LCL tear, which would have sidelined him for up to two months. — Joseph Person, New York Times, 30 July 2026

Stephanie McCullough is a family physician who completed an additional surgical OB fellowship. — Judy Stone, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Prior to entering politics, Patterson completed a surgical residency at Truman Medical Center in downtown Kansas City and was a general surgeon in eastern Jackson County for 11 years. — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 27 July 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