acupuncture
noun
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In Latin, acus means "needle", and the English word acupuncture was coined way back in the 17th century to describe a technique the Chinese had already been using for 2,000 years. An acupuncturist may insert many extremely fine needles at a time; the treatment is usually uncomfortable but not truly painful. In China today, even major surgery is often carried out using only acupuncture to kill the pain; it's also used for many other conditions, including insomnia, depression, smoking, and overweight. Acupuncture is based on ancient theories of bodily energy that few Western doctors have ever accepted; but even though attempts to explain its effects by Western science have been unsuccessful, it's now widely recognized by doctors as effective for pain reduction.
Examples of acupuncture in a Sentence
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 19 Feb. 2025
Unlike other health hacks, like acupuncture or 5 a.m. runs, this is an easy one to introduce.
—Daisy Jones, Vogue, 1 Feb. 2025
Other options for managing period pain include NSAIDs, heating pads, hot teas, and alternative therapies like acupuncture and nerve stimulation.
—Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 6 Feb. 2025
The doctor also suggested more emphasis on non-invasive wellness modalities like yoga, acupuncture and chiropractic care.
—Angelica Stabile, Fox News, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for acupuncture
Cite this Entry
“Acupuncture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acupuncture. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
acupuncture
noun
Latin acus "needle" and English puncture
Medical Definition
acupuncture
noun
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