adjective
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of, relating to, involving, or used in surgery
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(of an action) performed with extreme precision
a surgical air attack on the missile complex
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of surgical
Explanation
Things that are surgical have something to do with an operation performed by a surgeon, or something done with the level of precision a surgeon exercises. So, you could wear surgical scrubs or conduct a surgical strike. A surgical resident is a doctor who's learning to specialize in performing surgery, and the surgical wing of a hospital is the area where surgery is performed. Because what a surgeon does requires such precision and care, the adjective is also used to describe anything done carefully: "Surgical bombing is supposed to be much more precise, with narrow military targets."
Vocabulary lists containing surgical
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
UnitedHealthcare said it will stop requiring signoffs for many diagnostic services, routine surgical procedures and specialty care services across pediatric subspecialties such as cardiology, neurology, pulmonology and orthopedics.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026
In front of the hospital gates, a guard in a surgical mask did his best to keep track of all the comings and goings.
From Barron's • May 20, 2026
Bulky surgical lights loom over a vacant room transformed into a life-size version of Twister, complete with brightly colored decals resembling the familiar red, yellow, green and blue game mat.
From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026
Researchers will also need to answer key questions about dosing, timing, long term safety, and whether the benefits apply to human skin, surgical recovery, diabetic wounds, or other slow healing conditions.
From Science Daily • May 20, 2026
Dr. Hamid appears, a surgical nurse pushing through the door with her.
From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
