Word
acupuncture
Phoneticsacupunc·ture
US/ˈækjuˌpəŋktʃɝ/
UK/ˈækjuːpˌʌŋktʃɐ/
Uncountable noun Medicine
Definition
n. a medical treatment from China that involves putting thin needles into specific parts of the body. It is used to help with pain or to make someone feel better.
n. a system of complementary medicine originating in China that involves the insertion of fine needles into the skin at specific points. Used primarily to alleviate pain or treat various physical and mental conditions.
Examples
“She tried acupuncture to help with her back pain.”
“Many athletes use acupuncture alongside physical therapy to speed up their recovery from muscle injuries.”
“While some medical professionals remain skeptical of its theoretical basis in energy flow, clinical studies suggest that acupuncture can effectively stimulate the nervous system to release natural pain-relieving chemicals.”
Examples
simple
“She tried acupuncture to help with her back pain.”
contextual
“Many athletes use acupuncture alongside physical therapy to speed up their recovery from muscle injuries.”
complex
“While some medical professionals remain skeptical of its theoretical basis in energy flow, clinical studies suggest that acupuncture can effectively stimulate the nervous system to release natural pain-relieving chemicals.”
Usage
Typically used without an article when referring to the practice in general.
Real-World Examples
“Stimulating acupressure points, whether through touch or acupuncture needles, may also help, although, as Lai points out, the evidence is less consistent.” Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱ-der. Proto-Italic *akus New Latin acus Proto-Indo-European *pewǵ-der. Proto-Italic *pungō New Latin pungō New Latin pūnctus Proto-Indo-European *-tew-? Proto-Indo-European *-r-eh₂? New Latin -tūra New Latin pūnctūra New Latin acūpūnctūralbor. English acupuncture Learned borrowing from New Latin acūpūnctūra, from acus + pūnctūra. First attested in 1684. By surface analysis, acu- + puncture.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/acupuncture