noun

epidural

ehp-ih-DYOOR-ruhl

noun

An injection of anesthetic into the lower spine, commonly used to relieve pain during childbirth.

"She asked for an epidural once the contractions became unbearable."

adjective

Located on or around the outer covering of the spinal cord.

"The surgeon identified an epidural mass on the scan."

How to Use Epidural

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA pain-relief injection into the spine, most often used during labor.

Common pairings

get an epidural epidural anesthesia

more epidural comparative, epidurals plural, most epidural superlative

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She asked for an _____ once the contractions became unbearable.

Formed from "epi-" ("upon, outside") plus "dural," relating to the dura mater, the tough outer membrane covering the spinal cord and brain.

rural mural plural neural natural cultural subdural guttural unnatural inaugural structural procedural