surgical

[ sur-ji-kuh l ]

/ ˈsɜr dʒɪ kəl /

adjective

pertaining to or involving surgery or surgeons.

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

Nearby words

surgeon general, surgeon's knot, surgeoncy, surgeonfish, surgery, surgical, surgical abdomen, surgical anatomy, surgical anesthesia, surgical boot, surgical diathermy

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 Forms

surgically, 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

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.