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
Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
The world shared in Neeson’s devastation when in 2009, his wife of 15 years, Natasha Richardson, had died of an epidural hematoma after hitting her head in a skiing accident.
—Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 2 Aug. 2025
Jade Walker, CNN Money, 10 June 2025
The 20-year-old later apologized on X. Outfielder/DH Jesse Winker had an epidural for his lower back and will continue to be shut down from baseball activities for another 7-10 days.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 19 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for epidural
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Adjective
Last month, officials announced that all tertiary-level hospitals would be required to provide epidural anesthesia during childbirth, aiming to make the experience less stressful and encourage higher fertility.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
The world shared in Neeson’s devastation when in 2009, his wife of 15 years, Natasha Richardson, had died of an epidural hematoma after hitting her head in a skiing accident.
—Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 2 Aug. 2025
Noun
Smaller hospitals should be prepared to provide epidurals by 2027.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 10 June 2025
The 20-year-old later apologized on X. Outfielder/DH Jesse Winker had an epidural for his lower back and will continue to be shut down from baseball activities for another 7-10 days.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 19 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for epidural
Cite this Entry
“Epidural.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epidural. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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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