surgical

American  

[sur-ji-kuhl] / ˈsɜr dʒɪ kəl /

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.

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surgical British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of surgical

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

Example Sentences

Because I knew to look for it, I saw the faint surgical scar peeking above the neckline of the child’s dress.

From Slate • Mar. 29, 2026

Other startups are launching or developing clinical-AI services in areas such as mental health and surgical rehabilitation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

A separate independent review, published last year, highlighted how the 2016 review raised concerns about Stohr's surgical technique and judgement but it was "misunderstood" and opportunities to act on the findings were "missed".

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

Center Kilian O’Connor and right tackle Justin Tauanuu will sit out while recovering from surgical procedures.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026

It was no different than the puckering smallpox marks or old surgical scars I found on other bodies.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros