medicine
noun
med·i·cine
ˈme-di-sən 
British usually
ˈmed-sən
plural medicines
1
a
: a substance or preparation used in treating disease
cough medicine
b
: something that affects well-being
He's bad medicine.—
Zane Grey
Zane Grey2
a
: the science and art dealing with the maintenance of health and the prevention, alleviation, or cure of disease
She's interested in a career in medicine.
b
: the branch of medicine concerned with the nonsurgical treatment of disease
3
: a substance (such as a drug or potion) used to treat something other than disease
4
: an object (such as a stone, animal bone, or plant root) which in some Indigenous American traditions is held to give control over natural or magical forces
also
: magical power or a magical rite
medicine
transitive verb
Examples of medicine in a Sentence
He forgot to take his medicine.
Did you look in the medicine cabinet for a pain reliever?
Their research has led to many important advances in modern medicine.
She's interested in a career in medicine.
Recent Examples on the Web
Already there is a waiting list of medical school students interested in experiencing medicine that moves.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
The highest earners generally are in leadership positions and/or jobs related to law, medicine and public health, technology or engineering.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 31 Mar. 2026
The defining features of modern American medicine are no longer limited to scientific advancement or clinical complexity.
—Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2026
Species like Aspergillus thrive in warmer temperatures and changing environmental conditions, and widespread use of azole compounds in agriculture and medicine is driving drug resistance.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for medicine
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Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
The highest earners generally are in leadership positions and/or jobs related to law, medicine and public health, technology or engineering.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 31 Mar. 2026
The defining features of modern American medicine are no longer limited to scientific advancement or clinical complexity.
—Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2026
Species like Aspergillus thrive in warmer temperatures and changing environmental conditions, and widespread use of azole compounds in agriculture and medicine is driving drug resistance.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for medicine
Cite this Entry
“Medicine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/medicine. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
medicine
noun
med·i·cine
ˈmed-ə-sən
1
: a substance or preparation used in treating disease
2
: the science or art that deals with the prevention, cure, or easing of disease
especially
: the practice of the physician as it differs from that of the surgeon
3
: an object, power, or ceremony held to give control over natural or magical forces
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