anesthesia

an·es·the·sia | \ ˌa-nəs-ˈthē-zhə

Definition of anesthesia

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 The procedure — which can also be done on the brow or upper eyelid — is performed under local anesthesia, and usually has a short recovery period. — Julie Ricevuto, Allure, "The Science of Beauty: The Complete Guide to Treating Wrinkles," 5 Nov. 2020 Nicole’s services were a gift from an ob-gyn friend of mine who told me that continuous support from doulas during childbirth is associated with decreased caesarean section rates and less frequent use of epidural anesthesia. — Naomi Jackson, Harper's Magazine, "A Litany for Survival," 18 Aug. 2020 The eShunt can be installed in a minimally invasive procedure that relies on local anesthesia, the company said. — BostonGlobe.com, "The week in business," 13 June 2020 Hospitals and critical care facilities had to adapt other equipment, such as reconfiguring anesthesia machines and transport ventilators. — Susan Decker, Bloomberg.com, "Broken Ventilators Spark Push to End Limits on Who Can Fix Them," 15 May 2020 In the past, babies were often circumcised without anesthesia, but most providers now use some form of pain relief. — Susan Reslewic Keatley, New York Times, "Should You Circumcise Your Baby Boy?," 17 Apr. 2020 For instance, anesthesia gas machines can be used as ventilators and modifying ventilator accessories like tubing is allowed. — Roberto Baldwin, Car and Driver, "Tesla's Ventilator Design Has a Long Road before Helping Patients," 9 Apr. 2020 Acton said March 24 that Ohio is working to convert anesthesia machines into ventilators to meet the potential need. — Evan Macdonald, cleveland, "Ohio’s push for ventilator data comes as Trump Administration suggests states should use existing stockpiles," 4 Apr. 2020 The company, which has 17 subsidiaries in China and operations in 30 countries, makes health monitoring systems, ventilators, defibrillators, anesthesia machines and infusion systems. — Fortune, "Singapore’s richest man—a ventilator tycoon—has grown $3.7 billion richer amid coronavirus demand boom," 3 Apr. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'anesthesia.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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“Anesthesia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anesthesia. Accessed 17 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for anesthesia

anesthesia

noun

English Language Learners Definition of anesthesia

medical : loss of feeling in a person's body or part of the body through the use of drugs

See the full definition for anesthesia in the English Language Learners Dictionary

anesthesia

noun

an·es·the·sia | \ ˌa-nəs-ˈthē-zhə

Kids Definition of anesthesia

: loss of feeling in all or part of the body with or without loss of consciousness The patient was given an injection before surgery to produce anesthesia.

anesthesia

noun

an·es·the·sia

variants: or chiefly British anaesthesia \ ˌan-əs-ˈthē-zhə

Medical Definition of anesthesia

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

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