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

He said the hospital’s main building, which houses the emergency department, inpatient ward and surgical unit, was struck.

From Los Angeles Times

The hospital's emergency department, inpatient ward, and surgical unit was hit, according to the World Health Organization.

From BBC

"While the surgical care itself hasn't been an issue, the events that unfolded have been devastating for them and their families," he said.

From BBC

Several men wearing surgical masks can be seen detaining Reyes, with some putting masks on once they realized they were being filmed.

From Los Angeles Times

They stayed in Airbnb rentals near their targets and were armed with construction vests, sledgehammers, blowtorches and surgical masks, according to court documents.

From Los Angeles Times