epidural

1 of 2

adjective

epi·​du·​ral ˌe-pi-ˈd(y)u̇r-əl 

: situated upon or administered or placed outside the dura mater

epidural anesthesia

an epidural abscess

epidural

2 of 2

noun

: 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

Adjective

Back in New York, right-hander Kodai Senga (lumbar spine inflammation) played catch Wednesday for the first time since receiving an epidural last week. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 7 May 2026

Kirsten Peraino of Oceanside had her monthly migraine infusion appointment canceled due to the strike and learned Friday that an epidural shot on the books since November also would not happen until the strike is resolved. —Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026

Noun

The right-hander will be on a no-throw for seven to 10 days after receiving an epidural on Tuesday. —James O'Connell, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026

For now, Senga is waiting for the epidural to take effect and calm down the nerve irritation in his lower back. —Will Sammon, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1882, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1970, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for epidural

• postdoctoral
• predoctoral
• deferral
• referral
• neral
• squirrel
• sural

Medical 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

epidurally

-ə-lē 

adverb

epidural

2 of 2 noun

: an injection of an anesthetic to produce epidural anesthesia