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

The idea became a community tradition that has now raised over $10,000 to support clinical trials in hopes of finding a cure. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 12 Aug. 2025

The researchers combined data from three previous German randomized clinical trials that aimed to reduce elevated depressive symptoms and diabetes distress in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. —Paul McClure 09, New Atlas, 9 Aug. 2025

Before rapamycin could be recommended as a longevity therapy, large advanced clinical trials would need to be submitted to the FDA. —Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 2025

Lilly is testing that possibility in an ongoing clinical trial. —Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 7 Aug. 2025

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
• supervisorial

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