epi·du·ral
ˌe-pi-ˈd(y)u̇r-əl 
: situated upon or administered or placed outside the dura mater
epidural anesthesia
an epidural abscess
: 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
Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 11 Apr. 2025
Greene has resumed throwing after getting a second opinion on his right groin strain and getting an epidural injection to relieve pain in his lower back.
—C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 22 June 2025
Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 19 July 2025
Mothers were reported after they were given medications used routinely for pain or in epidurals, to reduce anxiety or to manage blood pressure during cesarean sections.
—Shoshana Walter, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for epidural
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Adjective
My anesthesiologist and his team were tender with me during the epidural, too.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 11 Apr. 2025
Greene has resumed throwing after getting a second opinion on his right groin strain and getting an epidural injection to relieve pain in his lower back.
—C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 22 June 2025
Noun
The 20-year-old later apologized on X. Outfielder/DH Jesse Winker had an epidural for his lower back and will continue to be shut down from baseball activities for another 7-10 days.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 19 July 2025
Mothers were reported after they were given medications used routinely for pain or in epidurals, to reduce anxiety or to manage blood pressure during cesarean sections.
—Shoshana Walter, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for epidural
Cite this Entry
“Epidural.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epidural. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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
epidural
2 of 2 noun
: an injection of an anesthetic to produce epidural anesthesia
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