epidural

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adjective epi·du·ral \ˌe-pi-ˈd(y)u̇r-əl\

Definition of epidural

: situated upon or administered or placed outside the dura mater epidural anesthesia an epidural abscess

Recent Examples of epidural from the Web

Trainers are on alert for McCarthy, who suffered an epidural hematoma when the Angels’ Erick Aybar hit him in the head with a line drive five years ago, and who has been on 12 disabled lists since 2008.

— mark whicker, Orange County Register, "Whicker: Dodgers’ Brandon McCarthy is latest to challenge big, bad Cubs", 22 June 2017
The epidural allows the anesthesiologist to top off the original injection and keep the anesthetic going as long as is needed.

— susan scutti, CNN, "'Gentle' C-sections are growing in popularity", 13 June 2017
With this period of rest, Williams could receive epidural steroid injections and other non-surgical treatment.

— profootballdoc, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Even now, Chargers could be concerned about Mike Williams", 6 June 2017
At one point, Lauren was overcome by a sudden, sharp pain in her back near her kidneys or liver, but the nurses bumped up her epidural and the stabbing stopped.

— nina martin, propublica; renee montagne, Fox News, "Nurse's childbirth death brings questions about whether new mom's being ignored", 21 May 2017
The drug, given by an epidural, replaces a protein Koen was lacking.

— alicia fabbre, Daily Southtown, "Tinley Park woman runs to help people with muscle diseases", 19 May 2017
Harrington recalled one time when she was scared before undergoing an epidural procedure.

— samantha schmidt, chicagotribune.com, "2 engaged doctors found bound and slain in luxury Boston penthouse, man in custody after shootout", 8 May 2017
Harrington recalled one time when she was scared before undergoing an epidural procedure.

— samantha schmidt, Washington Post, "Two engaged doctors found bound and slain in luxury Boston penthouse. Man in custody after shootout.", 8 May 2017
Simon weighed at 11 pounds, 2 ounces — not the biggest baby even born, but still a significant size, especially considering Bancroft delivered him without an epidural or any pain medication.

— caralynn lippo, Redbook, "The Photos of This Hero Mom Giving Birth to An 11-Pound Baby At Home With No Epidural Are Priceless", 11 Apr. 2017

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

First Known Use of epidural

1882

epidural

noun epi·du·ral

Definition of epidural

: 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

See epidural defined for English-language learners

Examples of epidural in a Sentence

Many women undergoing childbirth are given epidurals.

Recent Examples of epidural from the Web

Camann, who teaches at Harvard Medical School, said the combined spinal epidural is used for all C-sections, traditional and gentle, performed in the United States.

— susan scutti, CNN, "'Gentle' C-sections are growing in popularity", 13 June 2017