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

Derived Forms

• acupuncturist
  noun
• acupunctural
  adjective

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

About 4% of the roughly 127,000 veterinarians in the U.S. are certified to perform acupuncture, according to the American Board of Veterinary Acupuncture.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026

Mosely, the owner of Spirit Gate Acupuncture & Wellness in Mid-City, was already using a Brita to purify her tap water, but she wasn’t sure she trusted the results.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 25, 2024

Acupuncture is a treatment derived from ancient Chinese medicine, where fine needles are inserted at certain points in the body to stimulate nerves.

From BBC • Aug. 26, 2022

Acupuncture can help in that situation — a quick needle with electric stimulation, and once the muscle starts contracting, strength and conditioning exercises will be more successful.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 16, 2022

Acupuncture, ak-ū-pungkt′ūr, n. an operation for relieving pain by puncturing the flesh with needles.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various