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.
Science must still activate surgical centers, train medical teams, and secure reimbursement from national health systems or insurers. — New Atlas, 5 Aug. 2026 Making sure patients follow pre-surgical procedures that reduce complication rates also pays dividends. — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026 Over the last decade, gender-affirming medical and surgical care flourished as both public and private insurance coverage expanded. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 4 Aug. 2026 One 2022 study found that more than half of the patients who traveled abroad for discount cosmetic surgery ended up needing further treatment at home, such as wound care, removal of surgical objects and surgery revisions. — Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 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 8 Aug. 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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