Pronunciation guide

How to pronounce anesthesia

an-us-THEE-zhuh (US) or an-us-THEE-zee-uh (UK); stress on 'THEE'

US/ˌæn.əsˈθi.ʒə/

ænəsθiʒə

UK/ˌæn.əsˈθiːz.i.ə/

ænəsθiːziə

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What “anesthesia” means

An artificial method of preventing sensation, used to eliminate pain without causing loss of vital functions, by the administration of one or more agents which block pain impulses before transmitted to the brain.

The loss or prevention of sensation, as caused by anesthesia (in the above sense), or by a lesion in the nervous system, or by another physical abnormality.

In a sentence

  • General anesthesia ensures the patient feels no pain during surgery.
  • Local anesthesia can numb a small area without affecting consciousness.

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Definitions and examples are derived from Wiktionary, used under CC BY-SA 4.0, then edited by QuickPronounce. Pronunciation data draws on CMUdict.