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
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

Examples of local anesthesia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Over the last 10 years there has been a trend towards using local anesthesia along with oral sedation or lighter IV sedation as a safer way of performing surgery. Meirav Devash, Allure, 29 Feb. 2024 This price range typically includes the transplant procedure itself, consultations, local anesthesia and post-operative care. Ascend Agency, Baltimore Sun, 1 Feb. 2024 Implanting the gel took about 20 minutes and was done under local anesthesia, unless someone chose to be sedated instead. Emily Mullin, WIRED, 4 Jan. 2024 In 1991, Robert Greenberg, an electrical engineer turned medical student, stood in an operating room watching as a retinal surgeon inserted a tiny wire into the eye of a blind patient, who was awake and under local anesthesia. Eliza Strickland, IEEE Spectrum, 15 Feb. 2022 Even if only local anesthesia is used, your arm will be in a sling for 24 to 48 hours after the procedure. Jennifer Whitlock, Rn, Msn, Fn, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2023 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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of local anesthesia was in 1867

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 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

local anesthesia

noun
: loss of sensation in a limited and usually superficial area especially from the effect of a local anesthetic
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!