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

Bicket said that adding acupuncture after an epidural injection has shown to be effective in some patients with lower back pain, and many people may have already tried physical therapy before seeking more advanced treatment. —Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 6 Mar. 2025

In fact, epidural injections for such conditions are far more common — some 9 million are performed per year — than epidurals used during childbirth. —Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 20 Feb. 2025

Noun

It’s been suggested that epidurals can cause permanent back pain or spinal cord damage. —Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 20 Feb. 2025

Unlike Legend's birth four years ago, Bennett had no epidural to ease the process worsening her contractions. —Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 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