acetaminophen

noun

acet·​amin·​o·​phen ə-ˌsē-tə-ˈmi-nə-fən How to pronounce acetaminophen (audio)
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
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.
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 Conflicting studies There is a conflicting body of research on the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and the risk of adverse neurodevelopment. Shiv Sudhakar, FOXNews.com, 27 Mar. 2025 Pain can often be managed with over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Daryl Austin, USA Today, 9 June 2025 Behavioral therapy for pain Many adults think nothing of taking medicines such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen for minor aches and pains, but there’s little evidence that pharmacologic treatments work best for children’s chronic pain. Natoshia R. Cunningham, The Conversation, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for acetaminophen

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of acetaminophen was in 1958

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Cite this Entry

“Acetaminophen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acetaminophen. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

acetaminophen

noun
acet·​amin·​o·​phen ə-ˌsēt-ə-ˈmin-ə-fən How to pronounce acetaminophen (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce acetaminophen (audio) ˌas-ət- How to pronounce acetaminophen (audio)
: 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

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