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 current clinical trial moves it into the operating room for live surgical support. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026

In April, Revolution released promising late-stage clinical trial results for study participants with advanced pancreatic cancer. — Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

But the chemical composition of Shingrix might explain its salutary effects on dementia and heart disease, if borne out by randomized clinical trials designed to generate stronger evidence of cause and effect. — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 26 Aug. 2026

Publication of a large-scale human clinical trial on NAD+ IV infusions 2. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 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