epidural

1 of 2

adjective

epi·​du·​ral ˌe-pi-ˈd(y)u̇r-əl How to pronounce epidural (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
But as she was being prepared for an epidural, phones in the room blared an alert warning people to stay indoors and away from windows due to a missile threat. — Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026 Acupuncture can also make other techniques, such as epidural nerve blocks, more effective when both methods are used together. — Joe Smith, The Conversation, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
For Kate, an extra hit of drugs via her epidural squashed the pain. — Erica Sloan, SELF, 16 July 2025 Sobel said that as of May, he hadn't gotten paid by Medicare for nine epidurals. — Darius Tahir, CBS News, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for epidural

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1882, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1970, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of epidural was in 1882

Rhymes for epidural

See All Rhymes for epidural

Browse Nearby Words

epidotized
epidural
epieikeia
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Epidural.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epidural. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

epidural

1 of 2 adjective
epi·​du·​ral ˌep-i-ˈd(y)u̇r-əl How to pronounce epidural (audio)
: situated upon or administered or placed outside the dura mater
epidural injections
an epidural abscess
epidurally
-ə-lē How to pronounce epidural (audio)
adverb

epidural

2 of 2 noun
: an injection of an anesthetic to produce epidural anesthesia
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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