Meaning & use

epidural

noun·Academic

An injection of anesthetic into the lower spine to numb pain, especially during childbirth.

See it in a sentence

She requested an epidural once the contractions became too painful to manage.

The anesthesiologist explained the risks and benefits of an epidural before the procedure.

A note on using this word

Epidural most commonly refers to pain relief during labor, though the technique is also used in other surgeries.

Words with a similar meaning

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