anesthesia

noun

an·​es·​the·​sia ˌa-nəs-ˈthē-zhə 

1

: loss of sensation with or without loss of consciousness

The patient was given intravenous medication to induce anesthesia.

… doctors freeze the tumor with little coils filled with liquid nitrogen that are inserted in the prostate under anesthesia.

—Andy Grove

Awareness during anesthesia is a serious complication with potential long-term psychological consequences.

—Michael S. Avidan et al.

We often radiograph dogs when they are under anesthesia for spaying or neutering or other routine procedures.

—Bonnie Wilcox

see also general anesthesia, local anesthesia

2

: an agent that produces anesthesia : anesthetic

A capnometer measures the amount of carbon dioxide in exhaled air, thereby insuring that the tubes bringing oxygen and anesthesia to the patient are properly placed.

—Lisa Belkin

She was still groggy from her anesthesia, and she had an I.V. tube in her arm.

—The New Yorker

These substances [=endorphins], which have been identified in recent years through research on brain chemistry, act as a natural anesthesia that can lessen extreme pain.

—Norman Cousins

Examples of anesthesia in a Sentence

The patient was given an injection to induce anesthesia.

Recent Examples on the Web

State investigators said the 54-year-old patient, who was put under anesthesia, was given two drugs, which led to his heart's stopping. —Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 31 Mar. 2025

Advocate’s pediatric heart transplant team consists of experts in intensive care, pediatric cardiac anesthesia, nutrition, electrophysiology, social work, psychology, pharmacy and other specialties to serve the child’s needs at each step of the transplantation process, Advocate said. —Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025

The majority — 256 — were under the age 15 at the time they were assaulted, most of them under the effects of anesthesia or recovering from surgery, prosecutors allege. —Linda Hervieux, NBC News, 24 Feb. 2025

The researchers conducted a series of tests that involved presenting mice with two companions: a familiar cage mate that was under anesthesia and another mouse that was conscious and moving around. —Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek anaisthēsia insensibility, from a- + aisthēsis perception, from aisthanesthai to perceive — more at audible

First Known Use

1708, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing anesthesia

• general anesthesia
• local anesthesia

Rhymes for anesthesia

• anaesthesia
• analgesia
• dyskinesia
• paresthesia
• amnesia
• atresia
• babesia
• hyperalgesia
• hyperesthesia

Kids Definition

anesthesia

noun

an·​es·​the·​sia ˌan-əs-ˈthē-zhə 

: loss of bodily sensation with or without loss of consciousness

Medical Definition

anesthesia

noun

an·​es·​the·​sia

variants or chiefly British anaesthesia

ˌan-əs-ˈthē-zhə 

1

: loss of sensation with or without loss of consciousness that is artificially produced by the administration of one or more agents that block the passage of pain impulses along nerve pathways to the brain

… doctors freeze the tumor with little coils filled with liquid nitrogen that are inserted in the prostate under anesthesia.

—Andy Grove

Awareness during anesthesia is a serious complication with potential long-term psychological consequences.

—Michael S. Avidan et al.

see general anesthesia, local anesthesia

2

: loss of sensation especially to touch usually resulting from injury or disease

3

: an agent that produces anesthesia : anesthetic

During surgery, you will be given some form of anesthesia, which are medicines given to relieve pain and sensation during surgery.

—HopkinsMedicine.org

A capnometer measures the amount of carbon dioxide in exhaled air, thereby insuring that the tubes bringing oxygen and anesthesia to the patient are properly placed.

—Lisa Belkin