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

Mindfulness is now widely advocated as a component of psychotherapy and as an element of complementary and alternative medicine. —Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Apr. 2026

Yet, despite these advances in traditional treatment options, some patients continue to choose complementary and alternative medicine, or CAM, such as dietary supplements, mind and body approaches, and acupuncture. —Stacy Kish, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026

Government officials hosted an eclectic mix of wealthy philanthropists, alternative medicine influencers, health tech executives, and medical researchers to discuss a wide range of issues, from Lyme disease to gut health. —Amanda Seitz, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026

Government officials hosted an eclectic mix of wealthy philanthropists, alternative medicine influencers, health tech executives, and medical researchers to discuss a wide range of issues, from Lyme disease to gut health. —Kff Health News, Oc Register, 16 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for alternative medicine

• biomedicine
• telemedicine

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