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sedación means sedation — a common term in Medical Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: January 21, 2026

🩺 Medical Spanish

sedación

noun • /[se-da-SYON]/

sedation

Example:

El procedimiento requiere sedación.

The procedure requires sedation.

🧠 What does sedación mean?

Sedación refers to the medical practice of administering a sedative drug to induce a state of calm, relaxation, or sleepiness. It is commonly used to reduce a patient's anxiety, discomfort, or pain during diagnostic or surgical procedures. The level of sedation can range from minimal, where the patient is awake but relaxed, to deep, where the patient is asleep but can be awakened.

📚 Extra examples

  • La sedación ayudará al paciente a permanecer quieto durante la resonancia magnética.
    The sedation will help the patient remain still during the MRI.
  • El dentista recomendó una sedación ligera para el procedimiento dental.
    The dentist recommended light sedation for the dental procedure.
  • Después de la operación, el paciente fue mantenido bajo sedación por varias horas.
    After the operation, the patient was kept under sedation for several hours.

💡 Did You Know?

In medical contexts, it's important to distinguish between 'sedación' and 'anestesia general'. While both involve medication to control consciousness, sedation typically maintains some level of awareness and independent breathing. General anesthesia, on the other hand, induces a complete loss of consciousness, requiring assistance with breathing.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "sedación"

Synonyms: tranquilización, calma inducida, narcosis
Opposites: estimulación, excitación, despertar

🔍 See more medical spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'sedation' in Spanish?
The Spanish word for 'sedation' is 'sedación'.
How do you pronounce 'sedación' in Spanish?
The pronunciation is seh-dah-SYOHN. The stress falls on the final syllable, which is indicated by the accent mark on the 'o'.
How do you use 'sedación' in a sentence?
An example sentence is: 'El médico explicó los riesgos y beneficios de la sedación.' (The doctor explained the risks and benefits of sedation.)
What is the English translation of 'sedación'?
The English translation of 'sedación' is 'sedation'.
Does 'sedación' change for gender or number?
Yes. 'Sedación' is a feminine noun. Its plural form is 'sedaciones', used when referring to multiple instances or types of sedation (e.g., 'se aplicaron diferentes tipos de sedaciones').
Is 'sedación' common in everyday Spanish?
'Sedación' is a technical medical term. It is very common in clinical or healthcare settings but is not typically used in casual, everyday conversation unless discussing a medical topic.
Does 'sedación' have slang or double meanings?
No, 'sedación' is a formal medical term and does not have any common slang meanings or alternative interpretations.
Is 'sedación' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The term 'sedación' is used uniformly across Spain and Latin America within the medical field. There are no significant regional variations in its meaning or application.

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