anesthesia
noun
an·es·the·sia
ˌa-nəs-ˈthē-zhə 
1
: loss of sensation with or without loss of consciousness
The patient was given intravenous medication to induce anesthesia.
… doctors freeze the tumor with little coils filled with liquid nitrogen that are inserted in the prostate under anesthesia.—
Andy Grove
Andy GroveAwareness during anesthesia is a serious complication with potential long-term psychological consequences.—Michael S. Avidan et al.
Michael S. Avidan et al.We often radiograph dogs when they are under anesthesia for spaying or neutering or other routine procedures.—Bonnie Wilcox
see also general anesthesia, local anesthesia
Bonnie Wilcox2
: an agent that produces anesthesia : anesthetic
A capnometer measures the amount of carbon dioxide in exhaled air, thereby insuring that the tubes bringing oxygen and anesthesia to the patient are properly placed.—Lisa Belkin
Lisa BelkinShe was still groggy from her anesthesia, and she had an I.V. tube in her arm.—The New Yorker
The New YorkerThese substances [=endorphins], which have been identified in recent years through research on brain chemistry, act as a natural anesthesia that can lessen extreme pain.—Norman Cousins
Norman CousinsExamples of anesthesia in a Sentence
The patient was given an injection to induce anesthesia.
Recent Examples on the Web
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center halted procedures requiring anesthesia.
—Maya Goldman, Axios, 22 July 2024
Unlike a quick trip to your dermatologist or plastic surgeon for hyaluronic acid filler, fat grafting involves going under IV sedation, a type of anesthesia administered through a vein, and requires much more forethought and planning.
—Taryn Brooke, Allure, 24 Oct. 2024
After diagnosing her with appendicitis, the doctor hastily performed an appendectomy on the young girl before her anesthesia set in.
—Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 18 Oct. 2024
For older patients, risks associated with anesthesia or infection make surgery not possible.
—Tlalit Bussi Tel Tzure, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for anesthesia 
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Maya Goldman, Axios, 22 July 2024
Unlike a quick trip to your dermatologist or plastic surgeon for hyaluronic acid filler, fat grafting involves going under IV sedation, a type of anesthesia administered through a vein, and requires much more forethought and planning.
—Taryn Brooke, Allure, 24 Oct. 2024
After diagnosing her with appendicitis, the doctor hastily performed an appendectomy on the young girl before her anesthesia set in.
—Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 18 Oct. 2024
For older patients, risks associated with anesthesia or infection make surgery not possible.
—Tlalit Bussi Tel Tzure, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for anesthesia
Dictionary Entries Near anesthesia
Cite this Entry
“Anesthesia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anesthesia. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
anesthesia
noun
an·es·the·sia
ˌan-əs-ˈthē-zhə
: loss of bodily sensation with or without loss of consciousness
Medical Definition
anesthesia
noun
an·es·the·sia
variants
or chiefly British anaesthesia
1
: loss of sensation with or without loss of consciousness that is artificially produced by the administration of one or more agents that block the passage of pain impulses along nerve pathways to the brain
… doctors freeze the tumor with little coils filled with liquid nitrogen that are inserted in the prostate under anesthesia.—Andy Grove
Andy GroveAwareness during anesthesia is a serious complication with potential long-term psychological consequences.—Michael S. Avidan et al.
see general anesthesia, local anesthesia
Michael S. Avidan et al.2
: loss of sensation especially to touch usually resulting from injury or disease
3
: an agent that produces anesthesia : anesthetic
During surgery, you will be given some form of anesthesia, which are medicines given to relieve pain and sensation during surgery.—HopkinsMedicine.org
HopkinsMedicine.orgA capnometer measures the amount of carbon dioxide in exhaled air, thereby insuring that the tubes bringing oxygen and anesthesia to the patient are properly placed.—Lisa Belkin
Lisa BelkinLove words? Need even more definitions?
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