medicinal

adjective

me·​dic·​i·​nal
mə-ˈdis-nəl,
-ˈdi-sᵊn-əl How to pronounce medicinal (audio)
 in Shakespeare & Milton  ˌme-di-ˈsī-nᵊl,
 &  ˈmed-sə-nəl
1
: tending or used to cure disease or relieve pain
a medicinal compound
the plant's medicinal properties
used for medicinal purposes
2
medicinal noun
medicinally
mə-ˈdis-nə-lē How to pronounce medicinal (audio)
-ˈdi-sᵊn-ə-lē;
adverb

Examples of medicinal in a Sentence

This drug is to be used only for medicinal purposes. even in Roman times the hot mineral springs of Bath, England, were believed to possess medicinal properties
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.
Saw palmetto berries are coveted for their medicinal purposes, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture. Mark Price, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2025 Researchers from the National Taiwan University (NTU) and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University have uncovered a potent new compound in a rare medicinal mushroom found only among the island's mountainous forests, which has a double-threat – fighting both cancer and inflammation. New Atlas, 15 Aug. 2025 Marijuana is legal for both recreational and medicinal use in 24 states and the District of Columbia as of April 2025, according to DISA Global Solutions. Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 13 Aug. 2025 None of that harsh medicinal smell typical of anti-itch shampoos—so lathering up becomes a little moment of zen. Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 13 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for medicinal

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of medicinal was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Medicinal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/medicinal. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

medicinal

adjective
me·​dic·​i·​nal mə-ˈdis-nəl How to pronounce medicinal (audio)
-ᵊn-əl
: tending or used to cure disease or relieve pain
medicinally
adverb

Medical Definition

medicinal

1 of 2 adjective
me·​dic·​i·​nal mə-ˈdis-nəl, -ᵊn-əl How to pronounce medicinal (audio)
: of, relating to, or being medicine : tending or used to cure disease or relieve pain
medicinally adverb

medicinal

2 of 2 noun
: a medicinal substance : medicine

More from Merriam-Webster on medicinal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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