surgical

[ sur-ji-kuh l ]

/ ˈsɜr dʒɪ kəl /

adjective

pertaining to or involving surgery or surgeons.

used in surgery.

characterized by extreme precision or incisiveness: a surgical air strike against enemy targets.

Nearby words

Origin of surgical

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

Related forms

sur·gi·cal·ly, adverbnon·sur·gi·cal, adjectivenon·sur·gi·cal·ly, adverbpost·sur·gi·cal, adjective

pre·sur·gi·cal, adjectivepro·sur·gi·cal, adjectiveun·sur·gi·cal, adjectiveun·sur·gi·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for surgical

Add in additional demand, as with a surgical procedure, and the body is pushed to its very limits.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Risky Heart Surgery|Dr. Anand Veeravagu, MD|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For some, 72 hours will mark the difference between having a medical vs. a surgical procedure.
Abortion in Missouri Is the Wait of a Lifetime|Justin Glawe|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In an interview with CIR, he admitted to making scores of copies of surgical screws for Spinal Solutions.
Patients Screwed in Spine Surgery ‘Scam’|The Center for Investigative Reporting|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
By 2008, his planes were shuttling staff and surgical equipment from coast to coast.
Patients Screwed in Spine Surgery ‘Scam’|The Center for Investigative Reporting|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST

“Nonsterile gloves and sterile obstetric and surgical gloves were depleted or absent in all four counties,” the report reads.
$10,000 a Month for Ebola Fighters|Abby Haglage|October 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He is a great man, and will do for me all that surgical skill can do.
Swirling Waters|Max Rittenberg
I was afraid I should have to take to my surgical instruments.
Fix Bay'nets|George Manville Fenn
Besides this we had a surgical address from Dr. De Renzy, who told us what to do if any of us were wounded.
My Experiences in Manipur and the Naga Hills|James Johnstone
In the armoury department we had three repeating-rifles, two revolvers, and a case of surgical instruments.
The Cruise of the 'Alerte'|E. F. Knight
Barbers appear to have gained their experience from the monks whom they assisted in surgical operations.
The Doctor in History, Literature, Folk-Lore, Etc.|Various

British Dictionary definitions for surgical

surgical

/ (ˈsɜːdʒɪkəl) /

adjective

of, relating to, involving, or used in surgery

(of an action) performed with extreme precisiona surgical air attack on the missile complex

Derived Formssurgically, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for surgical

surgical

adj.

1770, alteration of chirurgical; see surgery + -ical. Related: Surgically.

surgical strike: There is no such thing. Don't use unless in a quote, then question what that means. [Isaac Cubillos, "Military Reporters Stylebook and Reference Guide," 2010]

Medicine definitions for surgical

surgical

[ sûr′jĭ-kəl ]

adj.

Of, relating to, or characteristic of surgeons or surgery.

Used in surgery.

Resulting from or occurring after surgery.