local anesthesia

noun

: loss of sensation in a limited and usually superficial area produced especially by an anesthetic affecting only a part of the body
This procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia, and can be done by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon on an outpatient basis.—Consumer Reports
compare general anesthesia
local anesthetic noun
More than 60 percent of American women choose relief in the form of an epidural, a combination of local anesthetic and narcotic administered into the epidural space surrounding the spinal cord. —Melinda Wenner Moyer

Examples of local anesthesia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Rather than being put completely under, Peasley was given local anesthesia to numb the area around her ear. — Marlee Ginter, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 Ungaro and Araujo told the detective the 40-minute procedure would be conducted using local anesthesia, according to the warrant. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 The procedure would take a few minutes in a doctor's office using local anesthesia, with the implant inserted under the skin of the upper arm or possibly other areas like the abdomen. — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 11 July 2026 An ophthalmologic surgeon can make a small incision in your eye under local anesthesia, remove the clouded lens and replace with an artificial intraocular lens made out of either plastic or silicone. — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 3 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for local anesthesia

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of local anesthesia was in 1867

Rhymes for local anesthesia

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Browse Nearby Words

local allegiance
local anesthesia
local area network
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Cite this Entry

“Local anesthesia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/local%20anesthesia. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Medical Definition

local anesthesia

noun
: loss of sensation in a limited and usually superficial area especially from the effect of a local anesthetic
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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