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

Duggins was returning to Washington, D.C., after visiting Kansas to be with her mother during a surgical procedure. —Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 31 Jan. 2025

It’s repeatedly described as chemical and surgical mutilation, or as maiming and sterilizing kids. —Elana Redfield, The Conversation, 30 Jan. 2025

The order covers gender-affirming care that includes puberty blockers, hormone replacement therapy and surgical procedures. —CBS News, 28 Jan. 2025

Summary Tubal ligation reversal is a surgical procedure that is used to open up fallopian tubes which were closed during a tubal ligation. —Corey Whelan, Verywell Health, 24 Jan. 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

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