anesthesia

noun

an·​es·​the·​sia ˌa-nəs-ˈthē-zhə How to pronounce anesthesia (audio)
1
: loss of sensation with or without loss of consciousness
The patient was given intravenous medication to induce anesthesia.
… doctors freeze the tumor with little coils filled with liquid nitrogen that are inserted in the prostate under anesthesia.Andy Grove
Awareness during anesthesia is a serious complication with potential long-term psychological consequences.Michael S. Avidan et al.
We often radiograph dogs when they are under anesthesia for spaying or neutering or other routine procedures.Bonnie Wilcox
see also general anesthesia, local anesthesia
2
: an agent that produces anesthesia : anesthetic
A capnometer measures the amount of carbon dioxide in exhaled air, thereby insuring that the tubes bringing oxygen and anesthesia to the patient are properly placed.Lisa Belkin
She was still groggy from her anesthesia, and she had an I.V. tube in her arm.The New Yorker
These substances [=endorphins], which have been identified in recent years through research on brain chemistry, act as a natural anesthesia that can lessen extreme pain.Norman Cousins

Examples of anesthesia in a Sentence

The patient was given an injection to induce anesthesia.
Recent Examples on the Web Injectables and anesthesia net sales increased 4.4% YoY, and Drug Compounding net sales increased 13.9% YoY in 4Q23. Joe Cornell, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 Ideally, practitioners should have mental health and anesthesia expertise, or have multiple specialties under one roof, and clinics should be equipped with hospital-grade monitoring equipment, Mandel said. Dawn Megli | Kff Health News, ABC News, 31 Jan. 2024 Anesthesiologist assistants These assistants administer anesthesia for surgical and nonsurgical procedures. Brianna Herlihy, Fox News, 12 Dec. 2023 Operating income was $401 million, up 2.6% YoY. Injectables and anesthesia net sales increased 3.2% YoY, and Drug Compounding net sales increased 9.9% YoY in FY23. Joe Cornell, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 In both hospitals, doctors and patients told of severe shortages of food, water and medication; of amputations and childbirth performed without anesthesia and painkillers. Yasmine Salam, NBC News, 15 Feb. 2024 But most anesthesiologists don't have a background in mental health, while psychiatrists don't know much about anesthesia, Sam Mandel noted. Dawn Megli | Kff Health News, ABC News, 31 Jan. 2024 But most anesthesiologists don’t have a background in mental health, while psychiatrists don’t know much about anesthesia, Sam Mandel noted. Dawn Megli, Fortune Well, 31 Jan. 2024 Another risk is developing an ileus, George added, when the intestines are slow to restart after anesthesia or surgery. Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'anesthesia.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek anaisthēsia insensibility, from a- + aisthēsis perception, from aisthanesthai to perceive — more at audible

First Known Use

1708, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of anesthesia was in 1708

Dictionary Entries Near anesthesia

Cite this Entry

“Anesthesia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anesthesia. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

anesthesia

noun
an·​es·​the·​sia ˌan-əs-ˈthē-zhə How to pronounce anesthesia (audio)
: loss of bodily sensation with or without loss of consciousness

Medical Definition

anesthesia

noun
an·​es·​the·​sia
variants or chiefly British anaesthesia
1
: loss of sensation with or without loss of consciousness that is artificially produced by the administration of one or more agents that block the passage of pain impulses along nerve pathways to the brain
… doctors freeze the tumor with little coils filled with liquid nitrogen that are inserted in the prostate under anesthesia.Andy Grove
Awareness during anesthesia is a serious complication with potential long-term psychological consequences.Michael S. Avidan et al.
see general anesthesia, local anesthesia
2
: loss of sensation especially to touch usually resulting from injury or disease
3
: an agent that produces anesthesia : anesthetic
During surgery, you will be given some form of anesthesia, which are medicines given to relieve pain and sensation during surgery.HopkinsMedicine.org
A capnometer measures the amount of carbon dioxide in exhaled air, thereby insuring that the tubes bringing oxygen and anesthesia to the patient are properly placed.Lisa Belkin

More from Merriam-Webster on anesthesia

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