epidural

1 of 2

adjective

epi·​du·​ral ˌe-pi-ˈd(y)u̇r-əl 

: 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

Adjective

That’s because the federal government is launching a new program that will require pre-authorization for certain items and services, including skin and tissue substitutes, epidural steroid injection for pain management, and deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease. —Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 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

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

For Kate, an extra hit of drugs via her epidural squashed the pain. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 16 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1882, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1970, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for epidural

• postdoctoral
• predoctoral
• deferral
• referral
• neral
• squirrel
• sural

Medical 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

epidurally

-ə-lē 

adverb

epidural

2 of 2 noun

: an injection of an anesthetic to produce epidural anesthesia