alternative medicine

noun

: any of various systems of healing or treating disease (such as chiropractic, homeopathy, or faith healing) not included in the traditional medical curricula of the U.S. and Britain

Examples of alternative medicine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Her commitment to alternative medicines could be likened to a religion — as both a core belief and part of her identity. —Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024

Some parents say their children are given other alternative medicines to help with their asthma that don't work as effectively. —USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2024

Jeanne was visibly upset, and went so far as to call the alternative medicine doctor in front of Roy to take the man to task for his actions. —Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 16 Feb. 2024

Crow’s report points to other recent research that estimates the complementary and alternative medicine market in the U.S. could be worth $411.4 billion by 2030. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2024

Kress, who previously worked in the medical field, joined the dispensary 2 1/2 years ago because of his interest in alternative medicine. —Brad Branan, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2024

Leary, who has a doctorate in chiropractic and alternative medicine, would set up ice baths for his private practice clients, and eventually in 2019, set up a breathwork ice bath class at a wellness retreat in Costa Rica—to aid the group’s recovery. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 28 Feb. 2024

Her treatments had been administered by an alternative medicine physician, based on preliminary evidence that megadoses of the vitamin might play a role in treating cancer. —Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 16 Feb. 2024

But, in recent years, amid a booming alternative medicine industry, the FDA cracked down. —Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 24 Aug. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

alternative medicine

noun

: any of various systems of healing or treating disease (as herbal medicine) involving approaches not customarily taught or practiced in the U.S.

Medical Definition

alternative medicine

noun

: any of various systems of healing or treating disease (as homeopathy, chiropractic, naturopathy, Ayurveda, or faith healing) that are not included in the traditional curricula taught in medical schools of the United States and Britain