pharmaceutical

1 of 2

adjective

phar·​ma·​ceu·​ti·​cal ˌfär-mə-ˈsü-ti-kəl How to pronounce pharmaceutical (audio)
Synonyms of pharmaceuticalnext
: of, relating to, or engaged in pharmacy or the manufacture and sale of pharmaceuticals
a pharmaceutical company
pharmaceutically adverb

pharmaceutical

2 of 2

noun

: a medicinal drug

Examples of pharmaceutical in a Sentence

Adjective lobbyists from the pharmaceutical industry Noun some pharmaceuticals can be quite risky unless taken correctly
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.
Adjective
This is an actual functioning program, with two of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies already streaming live clinical data directly into FDA review systems through a cloud platform powered by AI. Nagesh Nama, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026 As a spokesperson for the pharmaceutical company Novartis, the actress has devoted her life to helping others living with the disease. Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
Noun
Critics say the boom in migration has brought foreign labor and skills to sectors such as healthcare, finance, pharmaceuticals and technology. Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026 Telehealth companies pivoted when obesity drugs became blockbusters Telehealth companies like Vida Health existed before obesity drugs became blockbusters, says Jayne Hornung, the chief clinical officer at MMIT, a data company focused on the pharmaceuticals market. Sydney Lupkin, NPR, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for pharmaceutical

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Late Latin pharmaceuticus, from Greek pharmakeutikos, from pharmakeuein to administer drugs — more at pharmacy

First Known Use

Adjective

1636, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1829, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pharmaceutical was in 1636

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pharmaceutical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pharmaceutical. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

pharmaceutical

1 of 2 adjective
phar·​ma·​ceu·​ti·​cal ˌfär-mə-ˈsüt-i-kəl How to pronounce pharmaceutical (audio)
: of, relating to, or involved in pharmacy or the manufacture and sale of medicinal drugs
a pharmaceutical company
pharmaceutically adverb

pharmaceutical

2 of 2 noun
: a drug or preparation used in medicine

Medical Definition

pharmaceutical

1 of 2 adjective
phar·​ma·​ceu·​ti·​cal ˌfär-mə-ˈsüt-i-kəl How to pronounce pharmaceutical (audio)
variants also pharmaceutic
: of, relating to, or engaged in pharmacy or the manufacture and sale of pharmaceuticals
a pharmaceutical company
pharmaceutically adverb

pharmaceutical

2 of 2 noun
variants also pharmaceutic
: a medicinal drug

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