operating surgeon ope·ra·ting·surgeon uncommon noun 1. a physician who specializes in surgery Synonymssurgeonoperating surgeonsawbones Related words Broader terms doctor Narrower terms amputatorcosmetic surgeonneurosurgeonBeaumontCarrelCowperDe BakeyGorgas WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved.