epi·du·ral
ˌe-pi-ˈd(y)u̇r-əl 
: situated upon or administered or placed outside the dura mater
epidural anesthesia
an epidural abscess
: an injection of a local anesthetic into the space outside the dura mater of the spinal cord in the lower back region to produce loss of sensation especially in the abdomen or pelvic region
Examples of epidural in a Sentence
Noun
Many women undergoing childbirth are given epidurals.
Recent Examples on the Web
Amirah Razman, Twin Cities, 18 Nov. 2024
For the study, ‘multimodal analgesia’ was defined as the administration of an opioid plus at least one other form of pain medication, such as a local anesthetic (epidural or pain patch on the skin), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), intravenous ketamine, or oral gabapentin.
—New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2024
Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2024
Meanwhile, many commenters hilariously shared what their far more modest push presents were, such as an epidural.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 23 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for epidural 
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Adjective
Watershed chronicles the couple’s emotions during IVF treatment, which included receiving over 700 injections, surgery, and an epidural treatment — the same treatment that caused Weggemann to be paralyzed on both legs.
—Amirah Razman, Twin Cities, 18 Nov. 2024
For the study, ‘multimodal analgesia’ was defined as the administration of an opioid plus at least one other form of pain medication, such as a local anesthetic (epidural or pain patch on the skin), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), intravenous ketamine, or oral gabapentin.
—New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2024
Noun
At only 35 weeks, your impactful and quick arrival didn't even give mommy time to get an epidural.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2024
Meanwhile, many commenters hilariously shared what their far more modest push presents were, such as an epidural.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 23 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for epidural
Dictionary Entries Near epidural
Cite this Entry
“Epidural.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epidural. Accessed 4 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
epidural
1 of 2 adjective
epi·du·ral
ˌep-i-ˈd(y)u̇r-əl
: situated upon or administered or placed outside the dura mater
epidural injections
an epidural abscess
epidural
2 of 2 noun
: an injection of an anesthetic to produce epidural anesthesia
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