acupuncture

American  

[ak-yoo-puhngk-cher, ak-yoo-puhngk-cher, ak-yoo-puhngk-] / ˈæk yʊˌpʌŋk tʃər, ˈæk yʊˌpʌŋk tʃər, ˌæk yʊˈpʌŋk- /

noun

1. a Chinese medical practice or procedure that treats illness or provides local anesthesia by the insertion of needles at specified sites of the body.

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verb (used with object)

acupunctured, acupuncturing

1. to perform acupuncture on.

acupuncture British  

/ ˈækjʊˌpʌŋktʃə /

noun

1. Also called: stylostixis.  the insertion of the tips of needles into the skin at specific points for the purpose of treating various disorders by stimulating nerve impulses. Originally Chinese, this method of treatment is practised in many parts of the world

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acupuncture Scientific  

/ ăk′y-pŭngk′chər /

1. The practice of inserting thin needles into the body at specific points to relieve pain, treat a disease, or anesthetize a body part during surgery. Acupuncture has its origin in traditional Chinese medicine and has been in use for more than 5,000 years.

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acupuncture Cultural  

1. A technique, which originated in China, for curing disease, relieving pain, or bringing about partial anesthesia by inserting needles into the body at specific points.

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Other Word Forms

• acupunctural adjective
• acupuncturist noun

Etymology

Origin of acupuncture

1675–85; < Latin acū with a needle (ablative of acus needle) or acu- (as combining form of acus ) + puncture

Explanation

Acupuncture is a treatment that involves having tiny needles inserted into your skin. Some people try acupuncture when conventional medicine doesn't make them feel better. Though the idea of acupuncture — with the word puncture looming large — might sound terrible to you, it's not at all painful. An acupuncturist uses slim needles, just barely inserted, and most acupuncture clients don't feel them at all. Although scientists have not proven that acupuncture cures illness, eases pain, or manages stress, many people who have tried it find it useful. The word has been used since the 17th century, originally to mean simply "pricking with a needle."

Example Sentences

Since then, she has tried multiple treatments from medication to acupuncture to pelvic‑floor physiotherapy - all without success.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

Fourteen-year-old Estella spends her weekdays studying Spanish, rock climbing or learning acupuncture in her living room as part of her homeschooling since she left China's gruelling public school system.

From Barron's • Dec. 30, 2025

These included animal assisted therapies, acupuncture, herbal medicine, music therapy, probiotics, and Vitamin D supplementation.

From Science Daily • Dec. 28, 2025

Miran is a gardener and a practitioner of shiatsu, a Japanese therapy similar to acupuncture, according to a biographical video released by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 11, 2025

When Tuesday afternoon finally arrives I feel like I’m going to burst if I don’t lie on that acupuncture table soon.

From "A Mango-Shaped Space" by Wendy Mass