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

Doctors spoke to them in medical jargon – epidural hematoma, left subdural hemorrhage, left temporal bone fracture, left occipital condyle fracture – each term more terrifying than the last. —Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 15 June 2025

If a conservative approach is not successful, an epidural blood patch may be necessary. —Danielle Wilhour, The Conversation, 28 May 2025

Noun

Birth centers typically offer prenatal and postnatal care and delivery of babies by midwives, without epidurals or surgery. —Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025

While the practice of providing epidural anesthesia services to healthy pregnant women who are seeking pain relief during labor is widely utilized in many countries, only around 30% of pregnant women in China receive epidurals. —Jade Walker, CNN Money, 10 June 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