clinical

adjective

clin·​i·​cal ˈkli-ni-kəl How to pronounce clinical (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or conducted in or as if in a clinic: such as
a
: involving direct observation of the patient
clinical diagnosis
b
: based on or characterized by observable and diagnosable symptoms
clinical treatment
clinical tuberculosis
2
: analytical or coolly dispassionate
describing the situation with clinical detachment
3
US, informal : done or performed with excellence and precision : exemplary
In the meantime Bryant … continued his clinical shooting, which has allowed him to more than double his scoring average …Alexander Wolff
clinically adverb

Examples of clinical in a Sentence

Both experimental and clinical evidence show that the treatment is effective. She enjoys her clinical practice but is looking forward to working in a laboratory. Three hundred patients were involved in the clinical study.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There is nothing to choose between them, but there was a consistency, clinical edge and an abracadabra touch that made this performance the best Alcaraz has played in a major final, barring that 2024 demolition of Novak Djokovic on Centre Court. Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025 After Toronto took Friday’s opener with a clinical win, the Yankees allowed for no more showcasing of the Blue Jays’ progress. Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025 While more research needs to be conducted, a promising clinical study found that participants who took a specific soluble keratin supplement for three months strengthened and improved the appearance of their nails. Brianna Peters, Vogue, 6 Sep. 2025 The earthier materials balance the cooler-toned industrial materials, making an otherwise clinical palette feel cozy, not stark. Kathryn O'Shea-Evans, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clinical

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1728, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of clinical was circa 1728

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Cite this Entry

“Clinical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clinical. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

clinical

adjective
clin·​i·​cal ˈklin-i-kəl How to pronounce clinical (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or conducted in or as if in a clinic
clinical examination
2
: involving or based on direct observation of the patient
clinical studies
clinically adverb

Medical Definition

clinical

adjective
clin·​i·​cal ˈklin-i-kəl How to pronounce clinical (audio)
: of, relating to, or conducted in or as if in a clinic: as
a
: involving or concerned with the direct observation and treatment of living patients
engaged in full-time clinical practice
clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology
b
: of, relating to, based on, or characterized by observable and diagnosable symptoms of disease
the clinical picture on admission was that of mild depression in an extremely rigid personalityOccupational Therapy & Rehabilitation
three of these six foods were actually the cause of symptoms, and upon their elimination, clinical cure was effectedJournal of Pediatrics
clinically adverb
a clinically significant infection
clinically effective therapies

More from Merriam-Webster on clinical

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