surgical

adjective

sur·​gi·​cal ˈsər-ji-kəl How to pronounce surgical (audio)
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 How to pronounce surgical (audio)
adverb

Examples of surgical in a Sentence

The work was done with surgical precision.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The gap comes from labor cost, clinic overhead and currency, not from a different surgical technique; FUE, DHI and sapphire FUE are performed in all three countries. — Malana Vantyler, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026 The complex also features a pediatric room and an outpatient surgical center. — Morgan Mullings, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026 Patient safety advocates have pushed for years to reduce surgical deliveries, which can lead to complications. — Noam Levey, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026 On choosing surgical menopause In addition to a double mastectomy, Munn opted for an oophorectomy to remove her ovaries, plus had her fallopian tubes and uterus removed as well. — Kara McGrath, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for surgical

Word History

Etymology

surgeon + -ical

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of surgical was in 1707

Phrases Containing surgical

Rhymes for surgical

See All Rhymes for surgical

Browse Nearby Words

surge tank
surgical
surgical knot
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Surgical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surgical. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

surgical

adjective
sur·​gi·​cal ˈsər-ji-kəl How to pronounce surgical (audio)
: of, relating to, or associated with surgeons or surgery
surgical skills
surgical equipment
a surgical fever
surgically
-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce surgical (audio)
adverb

Medical Definition

surgical

adjective
sur·​gi·​cal ˈsər-ji-kəl How to pronounce surgical (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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