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

Liam recalled arriving at the hospital, where a doctor showed him Natasha's X-rays, which showed the epidural hematoma. —Kayla Keegan, People.com, 18 Mar. 2025

In the United States, 60 percent of those who give birth without an epidural and 83 percent with an epidural are limited to just ice chips and clear fluids in the hospital. —Carson Meyer, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025

Noun

Doulas support mothers at home and in the hospital (with and without an epidural). —Carson Meyer, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025

Two hours later, her contractions intensified, even with an epidural. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025

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