acetaminophen

noun

acet·​amin·​o·​phen ə-ˌsē-tə-ˈmi-nə-fən 

ˌa-sə-tə-

: a crystalline compound C₈H₉NO₂ that is a hydroxy derivative of acetanilide and is used in chemical synthesis and in medicine to relieve pain and fever

Examples of acetaminophen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The power of combination Wu pointed out that acetaminophen appears to boost the pain-relief properties of other medications. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025

Pain relievers such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Advil (ibuprofen) may help.1011 Take these steps at home to help reduce muscle pain from COVID:12 Try the RICE method, using rest, ice (for the first three days), compression, and elevation. —Sarah Hudgens, Health, 15 June 2025

Medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can also reduce fever and alleviate sore throat or headaches but should not be given to very young children without medical advice. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 12 June 2025

Try to avoid options that contain acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, as this ingredient may cause liver damage when taken in combination with alcohol. —Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 10 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

acet(yl) + amino + phen(ol)

Note: Shortened from N-acetyl-p-aminophenol. Acetaminophen was introduced as a generic name roughly coincident with the introduction of the trademark preparation Tylenol, which was first marketed as "Children's Tylenol Elixir" in 1955 by McNeil Laboratories. Synthesis of the substance, as acetylamidophenol, was first reported in Berichte der Deutschen Chemischen Gesellschaft, 11. Jahrgang (Jan.-Juni, 1878), p. 232-33 (H. N. Morse, "Ueber eine neue Darstellungsmethode der Acetylamidophenole"). Its antipyretic properties were recognized by the German physician Josef von Mering in the 1893 article "Beiträge zur Kenntniss der Antipyretica" (Therapeutische Monatshefte, 7, pp. 577-87)—he also refers to it as acetylamidophenol.

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

acetaminophen

noun

acet·​amin·​o·​phen ə-ˌsēt-ə-ˈmin-ə-fən 

: a crystalline compound used in medicine to relieve pain and fever

Medical Definition

acetaminophen

noun

acet·​amin·​o·​phen ə-ˌsēt-ə-ˈmin-ə-fən  ˌas-ət- 

: a crystalline compound C₈H₉NO₂ that is a hydroxy derivative of acetanilide and is used in chemical synthesis and in medicine instead of aspirin to relieve pain and fever

called also paracetamol

see liquiprin, panadol, tylenol