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

One recent study showed that, among people with an autoimmune condition, more than 80 percent have tried some form of complementary and alternative medicine. —Jason Liebowitz, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025

Use of complementary and alternative medicine in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review. —Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025

Rather than a single cause, astrology’s recent boom is more likely explained by a combination of factors: the decline of religion among younger generations, rising interest in alternative medicine, and increased accessibility of technology. —Anna Haines, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025

Residents believe the snake was being kept for taxidermy, or to be stuffed, then used in shamanism and to help sell alternative medicine products. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2025

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