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
Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY, 2 Aug. 2024
In the early 20th century, pregnant people were typically given strong sedatives during labor, and by the 1940s, epidural pain relief was becoming increasingly common.3
Dr. Bradley studied what animals seemed to do instinctively and tried to apply the same principles to the childbirth process.
—Rachel Gurevich, Parents, 22 July 2024
Michelle Goldberg, The Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2024
Neeleman had seven unmedicated births – and one with an epidural.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY, 2 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for epidural 
Adjective
An epidural is a small catheter that injects a pain-relieving medication — either an anesthetic or steroid — into the space around your spinal nerves, known as the epidural space.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY, 2 Aug. 2024
In the early 20th century, pregnant people were typically given strong sedatives during labor, and by the 1940s, epidural pain relief was becoming increasingly common.3
Dr. Bradley studied what animals seemed to do instinctively and tried to apply the same principles to the childbirth process.
—Rachel Gurevich, Parents, 22 July 2024
Noun
Yet the natural-parenting movement, which purports to re-create the practices of a romanticized premodern past, often makes women who’ve delivered via C-section, or with epidurals and other medical interventions, feel like failures.
—Michelle Goldberg, The Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2024
Neeleman had seven unmedicated births – and one with an epidural.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY, 2 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for epidural
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'epidural.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Epidural.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epidural. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
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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