clinical trial

noun

: a scientifically controlled study of the safety and effectiveness of a therapeutic agent (such as a drug or vaccine) using consenting human subjects

Examples of clinical trial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Attendees at the shipboard peptide party argued that in the absence of clinical trials, anecdotal data — typically near the bottom of the traditional evidence hierarchy — deserves more weight. — Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026

Additionally, numerous clinical trials evaluating promising new therapies are actively enrolling participants across South Florida. — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 11 Nov. 2026

What particularly stands out is the contrast between observational findings and results from clinical trials. — Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2026

The company also builds environments for tasks involving medical imaging, clinical trials and telehealth. — Wen Shao, Fortune, 10 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for clinical trial

• sensorial
• denial
• mistrial
• posttrial
• pretrial
• retrial
• dial
• rial
• thiol
• vial

Medical Definition

clinical trial

noun

: a scientifically controlled study of the safety and effectiveness of a therapeutic agent (as a drug or vaccine) using consenting human subjects