surgical

[sur-ji-kuhl]

adjective

1. pertaining to or involving surgery or surgeons.

2. used in surgery.

3. characterized by extreme precision or incisiveness.

   a surgical air strike against enemy targets.

surgical

/ ˈsɜːdʒɪkəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, involving, or used in surgery

2. (of an action) performed with extreme precision

   a surgical air attack on the missile complex

Other Word Forms

• surgically adverb
• nonsurgical adjective
• nonsurgically adverb
• postsurgical adjective
• presurgical adjective
• prosurgical adjective
• unsurgical adjective
• unsurgically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of surgical¹

First recorded in 1760–70; surg(eon) + -ical

Example Sentences

The ultimate goal of a general-purpose robot, one that can package goods, do household chores and assist in surgical procedures, is still years away.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

That is a positive because the company sells surgical tools, plus devices that treat heart conditions, diabetes, and other conditions.

Read more on Barron's

Ms Dyson built the Surge website herself in a bid to create a "one-stop shop" for all matters around surgical menopause.

Read more on BBC

The distinction is crucial: While mRNA Covid vaccines broadly help to strengthen immune readiness, cancer-targeted mRNA medicines use surgical precision, teaching the body exactly which cells to attack.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But it was Darnold's time to shine in Washington on Sunday with a surgical first half in which he completed all 16 passes and threw four touchdowns as the Seahawks dismantled the Commanders.

Read more on BBC