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

The gown is made of super-soft and stretchy jersey and features full-length snaps in the back for epidural or fetal monitoring. —Nora Colomer, Fox News, 26 Feb. 2025

The Giants announced on Monday morning that Murphy (mid-back disk herniation) will receive an epidural injection and be re-evaluated in the next few weeks. —Justice Delos Santos, The Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2025

Noun

Unlike Legend's birth four years ago, Bennett had no epidural to ease the process worsening her contractions. —Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025

This could result in delays in surgeries and lack of epidurals for births due to potential staffing shortages. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 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