root canal

noun

, Dentistry.

1. Also called pulp canal. the root portion of the pulp cavity.
2. Informal. root canal therapy ( def 2 ).

root canal

noun

1. the passage in the root of a tooth through which its nerves and blood vessels enter the pulp cavity

Word History and Origins

Origin of root canal¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Sometimes she called me from work, leaving messages about the number of root canals that day or the little kids having their first cleaning.

From MIT Technology Review

The servers act as if they’d rather be getting root canals than greeting or seating you.

From Washington Post

Babies were forced to have root canals, many of them without proper anesthesia.

From Washington Post

Deciding whether one miserable 16-game stretch was better or worse than another is a bit like choosing between a root canal and visiting the Department of Motor Vehicles on a Saturday morning, but I tried anyway.

From Washington Post