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
Robin Elise Weiss, Phd, Parents, 22 July 2024
If a conservative approach is not successful, an epidural blood patch may be necessary.
—Danielle Wilhour, Discover Magazine, 15 Aug. 2024
Danielle Wilhour, Discover Magazine, 15 Aug. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for epidural 
Adjective
Walking epidural This procedure is a combination of the classic epidural and spinal injection, using a lower dose of medication while also offering continuous relief.
—Robin Elise Weiss, Phd, Parents, 22 July 2024
If a conservative approach is not successful, an epidural blood patch may be necessary.
—Danielle Wilhour, Discover Magazine, 15 Aug. 2024
Noun
The dura can be damaged from head injuries or punctured during surgical procedures involving the sinuses, brain or spine, such as lumbar puncture, epidurals, spinal anesthesia or myelogram.
—Danielle Wilhour, Discover Magazine, 15 Aug. 2024
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
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.
Dictionary Entries Near epidural
Cite this Entry
“Epidural.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epidural. Accessed 11 Sep. 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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