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

China already leads the world in the number of clinical trials initiated annually. — Patrick McHenry, STAT, 30 Sep. 2026

That treatment, retatrutide, targets GLP-1, GIP and another hormone called glucagon, and has shown some of the highest levels of weight loss seen to date in clinical trials. — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026

The latest clinical trial results, however, put the medication one step closer to an FDA okay. — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 29 Sep. 2026

But researchers still need to test this connection in clinical trials, which requires deciding the right type and amount of whole grains to recommend, as well as the right length of time to test this diet. — Jean Liew, Fortune, 28 Sep. 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