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 seven-time Olympic medalist posted an Instagram Story on Thursday featuring a photo of Biles in surgical attire, accompanied by her husband, Indianapolis Colts safety Jonathan Owens. — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 Here's what actually happens when a testicle ruptures, why doctors treat it as a surgical emergency, and what recovery typically looks like. — Angela Haupt, Time, 22 July 2026 But why not use a more surgical approach, targeting consequential categories like steel and aluminum, as the administration did with the Section 232 duties? — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 22 July 2026 Johnson & Johnson got a big regulatory win , with the FDA approving its Ottava Robotic surgical system for multiple general procedures. — Jeff Marks,morgan Chittum, CNBC, 22 July 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 31 Jul. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on surgical

Nglish: Translation of surgical for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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