local anesthesia
noun
: loss of sensation in a limited and usually superficial area produced especially by an anesthetic affecting only a part of the body
This procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia, and can be done by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon on an outpatient basis.—
Consumer Reports
compare general anesthesia
Consumer Reports
local anesthetic
noun
More than 60 percent of American women choose relief in the form of an epidural, a combination of local anesthetic and narcotic administered into the epidural space surrounding the spinal cord.
—Melinda Wenner Moyer
Melinda Wenner Moyer
Examples of local anesthesia in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Other forms of pain relief, like IV (intravenous) medications, nitrous oxide (laughing gas), or local anesthesia may be available.
—Kristi Pahr, Parents, 8 Sep. 2023
This can take anywhere from 10 minutes for local anesthesia with IV sedation to 45 minutes for general anesthesia.
—Stuart Hershman, Verywell Health, 27 June 2023
If local anesthesia is used, it is delivered by injection in and around the surgical site.
—Stuart Hershman, Verywell Health, 27 June 2023
Most of these procedures are minimally invasive with a small incision, and some are done with laser surgery.4 General anesthesia or monitored anesthesia sedation with local anesthesia are required to prevent the child from moving during the procedure.
—Dagny Zhu, Verywell Health, 26 Jan. 2023
Picking against Tom Brady in the Super Bowl is like a root canal procedure without local anesthesia: highly uncomfortable.
—Dallas News, 5 Feb. 2021
According to a 2016 paper published in ACOG Clinical6, one study of 199 people found that local anesthesia didn’t reduce pain during IUD insertion compared to a placebo gel.
—Jessica Toscano, SELF, 26 Apr. 2022
The procedure favored by both Sobel and Frank, called tumescent liposuction, is performed under local anesthesia.
—Fiorella Valdesolo, WSJ, 2 Apr. 2021
In the study, a small hole was drilled into the skull of the patient, who was awake and under local anesthesia.
—Linda Marsa, Discover Magazine, 2 Jan. 2019
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Kristi Pahr, Parents, 8 Sep. 2023
This can take anywhere from 10 minutes for local anesthesia with IV sedation to 45 minutes for general anesthesia.
—Stuart Hershman, Verywell Health, 27 June 2023
If local anesthesia is used, it is delivered by injection in and around the surgical site.
—Stuart Hershman, Verywell Health, 27 June 2023
Most of these procedures are minimally invasive with a small incision, and some are done with laser surgery.4 General anesthesia or monitored anesthesia sedation with local anesthesia are required to prevent the child from moving during the procedure.
—Dagny Zhu, Verywell Health, 26 Jan. 2023
Picking against Tom Brady in the Super Bowl is like a root canal procedure without local anesthesia: highly uncomfortable.
—Dallas News, 5 Feb. 2021
According to a 2016 paper published in ACOG Clinical6, one study of 199 people found that local anesthesia didn’t reduce pain during IUD insertion compared to a placebo gel.
—Jessica Toscano, SELF, 26 Apr. 2022
The procedure favored by both Sobel and Frank, called tumescent liposuction, is performed under local anesthesia.
—Fiorella Valdesolo, WSJ, 2 Apr. 2021
In the study, a small hole was drilled into the skull of the patient, who was awake and under local anesthesia.
—Linda Marsa, Discover Magazine, 2 Jan. 2019
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'local anesthesia.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1867, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near local anesthesia
Cite this Entry
“Local anesthesia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/local%20anesthesia. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.
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Medical Definition
local anesthesia
noun
: loss of sensation in a limited and usually superficial area especially from the effect of a local anesthetic
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